Seniors Fall Prey To Aggressive Medicare Advantage Sales Tactics

The New York Times recently featured an article about the aggressive marketing of Medicare Advantage plans to senior citizens, some of whom had no idea their coverage was being switched. Medicare Advantage plans are private plans sold by private insurers. These plans typically offer benefits that differ from those available under the traditional Medicare Part A and Part B coverage, but all of the plans must meet minimum standards established by the Medicare program.

Many seniors tell horror stories about how they were “duped” into buying a Medicare Advantage plan using questionable, and sometimes illegal, marketing tactics. Seniors should be aware that Medicare does not conduct door-to-door sales or visits, so any representatives visiting seniors in their homes would be from insurance companies soliciting Medicare Advantage business. Don’t be afraid to say no, or to ask any sales representatives to leave literature behind for further review rather than signing up on the spot.

Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you decide whether Medicare Advantage is right for you. The SHIP is a government-funded program which has no financial interest in which Medicare plan you choose.