Medicare Blog

what can agents say on phone calls for medicare

by Daphney Hagenes Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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As a Medicare sales agent, you can ask for referrals, but you cannot collect phone numbers. Instead, you can ask your clients to refer you to their family members and friends. Just give your original client a few of your business cards and tell them that anyone who they meet and needs help, can contact you.

Full Answer

Does Medicare call you when you call?

But when it comes to Medicare, remember that the agency will never call you unless you have called the 1-800-MEDICARE number and specifically requested a return call. Medicare also won't make unsolicited calls to offer products or services.

When do you get Medicare scam phone calls?

Medicare scam phone calls specifically ramp up during Medicare Open Enrollment, which takes place annually, October 15 – December 7. As we approach this important time, it is vital that you are aware of what Medicare scam phone calls are out there and what to do if you receive them, so that you can better protect yourself and your loved ones.

How do I contact Medicare about my Medicare eligibility?

This includes unsolicited phone calls, emails, text messages or knocking on your door. Direct mail is allowed because you can then contact the company or representative. Door hangers, leaflets and flyers are prohibited. A representative may not approach you and ask about your Medicare eligibility or current plan.

How do I Sell Medicare Advantage over the phone?

In order to sell Medicare Advantage over the phone, the obvious hurdle is finding a way to get on the phone with prospects! Here are some ideas for getting prospects to call you. There are several marketing tactics you can employ, but I think an absolute requirement is having a presence in your community.

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Does Medicare ever contact you by phone?

A Medicare health or drug plan may call you if you're already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you. A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if you've called and left a message or a representative said that someone would call you back.

Why do I keep getting calls about Medicare?

If you think the call is from Medicare, hang up and call them back at the national number. Then, if it was one of them, they can help you. However, if Medicare isn't attempting to reach you, then you avoid a spammer trying to steal your information. Telemarketing calls attempt to commit fraud and theft.

Is it safe to give your Medicare number over the phone?

Treat your Medicare card like it's a credit card. Don't ever give it out except to your doctor or other Medicare provider. Never give your Medicare Number in exchange for free medical equipment or any other free offer. Dishonest providers will use your numbers to get payment for services they never delivered.

What are these Medicare calls?

Scam callers claiming to be with Medicare are targeting victims with a variety of pitches. Some claim that Medicare is issuing new cards and they need to verify the victim's ID number. Others are trying to take advantage of the Medicare enrollment period that's open until Dec. 7.

How do I block unwanted calls on my landline?

The national Do Not Call list protects landline and wireless phone numbers. You can register your numbers on the national Do Not Call list at no cost by calling 1-888-382-1222 (voice) or 1-866-290-4236 (TTY).

How do I report a phone number that keeps calling?

The FTC is the primary government agency that collects scam complaints. Report all robocalls and unwanted telemarketing calls to the Do Not Call Registry. Report caller ID spoofing to the Federal Communications Commission. You can report either online or by phone at 1-888-225-5322 (TTY: 1-888-835-5322).

What is considered Medicare abuse?

What Is Medicare Abuse? Abuse describes practices that may directly or indirectly result in unnecessary costs to the Medicare Program. Abuse includes any practice that does not provide patients with medically necessary services or meet professionally recognized standards of care.

Are the Medicare calls legit?

If a caller asks for any personal information, experts say to assume it's a scam. Hang up. Unless you initiated the request, Medicare will NEVER call you. Medicare will never call you to sell you anything and they can't enroll you over the phone unless you called first.

How do I stop Medicare phone calls?

0:285:53How To Stop Unwanted Medicare Calls - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAbout the do not call list you might have heard the do not call list that is a federal registry thatMoreAbout the do not call list you might have heard the do not call list that is a federal registry that you can either apply online if you if you do it online google do not. Call. Then you have to fill

What is marketing appointment?

From CMS guidelines: Marketing appointments are individual appointments designed to steer or, attempt to steer, potential enrollees toward a plan or limited number of plans. All individual appointments between an agent and a beneficiary are considered marketing/sales appointments regardless of the content discussed.

Is cold calling allowed in MA?

Virtually all ‘cold calling’ or unsolicited marketing of MA and PD products is prohibited. This includes unsolicited phone calls, emails, text messages or knocking on your door. Direct mail is allowed because you can then contact the company or representative. Door hangers, leaflets and flyers are prohibited.

Does Medicare cover all drugs?

If your doctor accepts Medicare, she accepts this plan. There are no limits on services. We cover all drugs and have no formulary restrictions. If you don’t like this plan, you can stop paying your premium and return to original Medicare anytime. It is better to choose a different company if you are sick.

Do all Medicare representatives have to take yearly training?

All representatives must take yearly training and pass tests to confirm their knowledge of the do’s and don’ts of selling MA and PDP products. All of the rules help promote a stress free environment for the Medicare beneficiary to make the right decision for his or her situation. Medicare Options.

How do Medicare phone scams work?

Across the country, seniors may receive calls from scam operators who claim to represent Medicare or a different insurance provider. They usually claim that the senior’s Medicare card has expired, prompting the release of personal information like name, address, Medicare number, or Social Security number.

Should I give my Medicare number over the phone?

Because many Medicare recipients have received new Medicare cards since 2018, scam calls encouraging the “activation” of these cards are on the rise. You do not need to activate a Medicare card, update your information, or pay any kind of fee to use your new card once you receive it.

What can a scammer do with my Medicare number?

To help prevent against identity theft, Medicare has issued new cards to recipients that have your Medicare number instead of your Social Security number on the back.

Conclusion

It can be a scary world out there, but the best offense is a great defense. That’s why it’s so important to stay up to date on all things Medicare — you never know when it could save you big!

How long does Medicare store scope of appointment?

Also, MedicareCENTER will store the scope of appointment indefinitely, so you can be sure you have it on file for the required 10 years. If you're selling Medicare Advantage over the phone, you cannot skip the scope of appointment. Utilize the handy or email or text feature and you'll be done in less than 3 minutes!

How to become a Medicare guru?

Here are your basic steps: Establish yourself as a Medicare guru in your community. Develop a marketing plan to ensure prospects are calling you (since you can't call them). Offer Medicare Advantage to your existing client base. Send a scope of appointment (SOA) using MedicareCENTER.

What to do if you are not contracted with all the carriers?

If you're not contracted with all the carriers in your area, it can be helpful to reference Medicare.gov in addition to MedicareCENTER. Only the carriers you are contracted with will appear, so using Medicare.gov will ensure you see all available plans.

Can you make outbound calls to sell Medicare Advantage?

How to Get Prospects to Call You. In general, you can't make outbound calls to sell Medicare Advantage plans. There are a couple of exceptions, like calling existing clients or returning phone calls, but it's mostly off-limits. In order to sell Medicare Advantage over the phone, the obvious hurdle is finding a way to get on the phone with prospects!

Can you call a non-Medicare enrollee?

You can call current enrollees, including those in non-Medicare products, to discuss plan business. You can return phone calls or messages. You can call when you get permission, such as from a business reply card or an email requesting a return call. You can't make unsolicited phone calls to prospective enrollees.

Can you make unsolicited calls to Medicare?

You can't make unsolicited phone calls to prospective enrollees. You can't call about other business as a way to generate Medicare leads (bait and switch). You can't call referrals – the referred person needs to call you.

Is a marketing piece not a carrier?

Any marketing pieces not mentioning a specific plan or carrier are typically categorized as communications – not marketing. These must adhere to the CMS language guidelines, but they don't need approval from CMS. We have developed a library of pieces you can utilize that adhere to the CMS guidelines.

Can a final expense call a beneficiary?

a “final expense” life insurance company cannot call its beneficiaries, ask them a bunch of questions about their life insurance, and then ask. them if they are interested in DME, and if the answer is “yes,” transfer. their names to ABC; and. (iv) a marketer cannot call Mrs. Smith.

Can ABC call Mrs Smith?

ABC can call Mrs. Smith if it is a “solicited”. call—that is, if Mrs. Smith has affirmatively taken action that reflects. her consent to be called. For example, let’s say that Mrs. Smith. watches a television commercial, or reads a newspaper ad, and calls. ABC. Mrs. Smith reaches ABC’s answering service or voicemail.

The Medicare open enrollment period tends to lead to an increase in scam calls

From October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can renew their benefits and new insurance seekers are able to apply. They can also expect brochures, notices from Social Security, a “Medicare & You” handbook, or even an Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) depending on their enrollment status.

How Medicare sought to protect its beneficiaries

Historically, it has been incredibly easy to siphon information from vulnerable people over the phone, especially the elderly, due to the fact that people have grown accustomed to verifying their identity with their social security number.

How to protect yourself and those around you from malicious robocalls

Scammers know to target the elderly and vulnerable, never answer a number you don’t recognize. Smartphones can even alert you with a “ Scam Likely ” caller ID to help people remain protected (find out how to activate it here ).

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