I am new to Medicare and I have been getting contacted like crazy. I’m not sure who to trust, but I also don’t want to miss my opportunity to sign up. What should I tell them?
Great question. Many agents out there are perfectly legitimate, but there are some scammers out there looking to score your identity. We here at Action Benefits have all the answers for you.
Is there any information I should refuse to give out no matter what?
Yes! Unless you are at the final steps with an agent and actually enrolling in a plan, never give out the following:
- Your banking information. It isn’t needed for things like quoting or discussing.
- Your signature on anything other than a “Scope of Appointment.” Agents might ask you to sign one because it represents the consent they’re required to collect from you by law.
- Contact information of friends or family.
Are there any suspicious situations I should look out for?
The law is being broken if any of the following things happen. Do not engage if:
- Someone comes to your home uninvited.
- Someone cold calls you. The only exception is if you already have business with them, such as a previous interaction where you gave permission or if you are already a member of their plan.
- Someone approaches you in a health care setting, like a doctor’s office, hospital room, or pharmacy counter.
- Someone tries to enroll you at a marketing event.
- You are “required” to speak to a salesperson.
- You are offered cash or any gift beyond small trinkets valued at more than $15.
- You are asked to pay over the phone. Plans are required to send a bill.
- You are charged anything to process the enrollment or get plan advice.
- You are pitched anything you didn’t ask to talk about, like another type of health insurance plans or life insurance.
Well, what is ok then?
The agent is on the straight and narrow if he or she:
- Gives you any general information, like plan materials, options for independent research, enrollment forms, or business cards.
- Collects a completed enrollment form.
- Records your consent to speak to them verbally or asks you to sign a Scope of Appointment physically or digitally.
- Asks you to re-sign a Scope of Appointment if you ask to discuss other Medicare products that you didn’t originally agree to discuss.
Other notes
Once you enroll, the plan (separately from the agent) will contact you to make sure you understand how the plan works. The agent might call you too, but if nobody from the plan you signed up for contacts you, that is a red flag.
If you suspect something is awry, let Medicare know
Call 1-800-MEDICARE and let them know. They might ask for your name, Medicare number, and any identifying information you may have regarding the situation.
Action Benefits is here to help
Still not sure? Email atyourservice@actionbenefitsagency.com or call us at (248) 356-8588 to work with a licensed Medicare agent. Don’t worry, they read this article, too!