Rules for Agents Who Sell Medicare Plans
Medicare has rules that apply to the sales agents that work with Medicare beneficiaries — and that’s a good thing! It helps you know what to expect from a Medicare sales agent. It could even help you recognize potential scam artists.
Today, we’re going to look at what Medicare sales agents can and can’t do so you can be more informed about the assistance your agent is allowed to provide you.
What is a licensed Medicare insurance agent allowed to do?
Phone calls
Licensed Medicare agents are only allowed to call you if you’ve given permission to be contacted. If you have requested a follow-up phone appointment, they can call you regarding that appointment. Medicare agents are not allowed to cold call you or call you without you contacting them first. Keep reading for more details.
Visiting your home
Medicare sales agents are allowed to visit your home if you invite them to your home. They will not show up on your doorstep without you initiating the meeting. If you miss an in-person meeting, agents are allowed to leave information at your home. But that’s only the case if you missed a set appointment. It can’t be done randomly.
Discussing Medicare plans
Medicare sales agents are only allowed to discuss the types of Medicare plans you’ve agreed to learn more about during a scheduled appointment. You provide that permission either in writing or through a recorded phone call prior to the sales meeting with the agent. If you want to hear more about other types of plans after you’ve set the initial scope of the appointment, you’ll need to again give your permission.
During Medicare enrollment
A licensed Medicare sales agent is only allowed to request personal information from you when they need that information to verify eligibility for a specific plan or to enroll you into a plan.
If at any other time they ask for personal information such as your Social Security number, Medicare number, credit card or banking information, they are in violation of Medicare agent rules. You should not share any information with that person.
Post-enrollment contact
Medicare sales agents are allowed to call you after you’ve enrolled in a Medicare plan to discuss other coverage options. However, this is only true if the agent calling you is the same one who enrolled you in the plan. It cannot be someone else from that agent’s company. Your agent can also contact you during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 to December 7 to see if you need to change your coverage in any way.
What is a licensed Medicare insurance agent NOT allowed to do?
Phone Calls
Licensed Medicare sales agents are not allowed to cold call you. Agents can only call you if you have a prior relationship with them. If you are receiving calls from an unknown caller claiming to sell Medicare, DO NOT share any personal information. Medicare scams are a popular form of identity theft that targets seniors.
Medicare sales agents are not allowed to enroll you in Medicare over the phone unless you called them to request enrollment. If you receive a call asking you to enroll in Medicare, it is a scam.
During a Medicare sales call, the agent is not allowed to discuss or sell you non-health related coverage such as life insurance. They must make a separate appointment with you if you request information related to additional products or services. They are not allowed to bring them up in any way during Medicare sales.
Visiting your home
Medicare sales agents will not visit your home unless you have given them permission to do so. Avoid engaging with anyone who comes to your door claiming to be selling Medicare plans without you making initial contact.
Additionally, Medicare sales agents are not allowed to leave flyers or other advertisements on your door or on your car windshield. However, both regular mail and email communications are allowed.
Discussing plans
During the sales meeting, Medicare sales agents have strict rules they must follow. They’re not allowed to pressure you into enrollment or changing your coverage, and endorsement of any specific plan is not allowed.
Likewise, agents are not allowed to push for sales with cash incentives, free meals or gifts worth more than $15. Medicare views such incentives as forms of bribery.
During enrollment
Licensed Medicare sales agents are not allowed to enroll you in a Medicare Supplement plan if the agent knows you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. The only exception to this rule is if your current Medicare Advantage plan coverage will end before the Medicare Supplement plan coverage begins.
After enrolling
Licensed Medicare sales agents should not ask you for referrals. They may leave business cards, but they are not allowed to contact your friends and family without permission from those people. However, if you’re pleased with your agent’s service, you are welcome to share their contact information with people you know.
Conclusion
Understanding what Medicare sales agents can and can’t do is important. It can help you recognize potential fraud and identify theft. It can also help you find quality agents who will follow the rules and treat you with the respect you deserve.
Looking for Medicare guidance you can depend on? We’re here to help. Call us today to set up an appointment with one of our licensed Medicare sales agents.
Ede’m Now Health Marketplaceis a brand operated by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC and used by its affiliated licensed insurance agencies that are certified to sell Medicare products. Ede’m Now Health Marketplace is not endorsed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), or any other government agency.
