During Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct. 15-Dec. 7), plans are actively marketing their products through television ads, social media ads, radio ads, and mailings. In an attempt to pique your interest, the ads may intentionally or unintentionally mislead you into thinking one plan is better for you than another. Unlike Original Medicare, Part C and Part D plans are administered, marketed, and sold by private insurance companies.
It’s important to understand what brokers and agents from private insurance carriers are and aren’t allowed to do. That way, you’ll be prepared if someone tries to enroll you in a Medicare plan that isn’t right for you.
When you meet or talk with an agent, they cannot:
- Start a discussion about other insurance products, like life insurance annuities, if your meeting was scheduled to discuss Medicare Part C or Part D.
- Set their own time limits for you to sign up for a plan. You have until
Dec. 7 to enroll, and there are no extra benefits for signing up early. - Threaten to take away your benefits if you do not sign up for their plan.
- Offer you gifts if you do agree to sign up for their plan.
- Suggest that Medicare endorses or prefers their plan.
- Discuss Medicare products you did not ask to talk about when you filled out a scope of appointment form.
Senior Services can lend a hand in wading through the abundance of health benefit choices – at no cost to you! Take the guesswork out of what health benefits are best for you, whether it’s Medicare enrollment, Medicare Part D prescription plans or Social Security Extra Help.
Senior Services has Health Benefits Assistance volunteers here to assist you. Please call our hotline at 989-633-3748 to be connected with a volunteer or fill out the worksheet at SeniorServicesMidland.org/care-coordination/health-benefits-assistance and we will contact you with more information.
