Many Medicare-eligible people report receiving a high number of Medicare spam calls, with robocalls now making up 50% of all calls in the United States. Unfortunately, many of these calls are scams designed to obtain personal information, sales calls from telemarketers hired for lead generation, or agents trying to sell seniors a different plan. Here’s how you can reduce these calls and protect yourself.
Add Your Number to the Do Not Call Registry
The first thing you should do is add your telephone number to the National Do Not Call Registry:
By phone: Call (888) 382-1222 from the telephone number you want to add. Be sure to register both your landline and cell phone numbers.
Online: Visit DoNotCall.gov.
After 31 days, you can start reporting unwanted sales calls.
Use Call Blocking Apps
You can also install call blocking apps on your cell phone or VOIP phone lines. Many new cell phones come with built-in spam and robocall protection features that can help block unwanted calls.
Report Misleading or Fraudulent Calls
If you receive misleading or fraudulent calls about Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug plans that you did not initiate, report them to Medicare:
Call: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
TTY users: 1-877-486-2048
Avoid Engaging with Telemarketers
The most impactful thing you can do is to stop making these calls profitable by not engaging with telemarketers. Do not give out personal information and do not make plan changes by phone unless you initiate the call yourself. If seniors refuse to purchase plans sold by telemarketers, these calls will start to diminish.
Demand Respectful and Ethical Marketing
Remember the power of the 65+ demographic. With 11,000 people turning 65 every day and already 56 million seniors in the United States, you have the power to demand respectful and ethical marketing.
Work with a Trusted Local Agent
Instead of dealing with telemarketers, work with a trusted local agent. At T White Insurance, I, Torain White, am here to help you make plan changes and answer any questions you may have. I offer face-to-face consultations, either at my office or your home, ensuring you receive personalized and reliable service. Most importantly, you can easily reach me if something with your plan changes or isn’t correct.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.
For more information and assistance, visit our website at twhiteinsurance.com or contact us directly. We're dedicated to providing you with the best service and ensuring your Medicare experience is as smooth and secure as possible.
Comments