Hello? It’s a Medicare drug plan calling. Starting this week, private companies are beginning to market Medicare prescription drug plans -- an endeavor that may include “cold calling,” warns the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, a free senior service program of the Area One Agency on Aging that provides objective information and counseling regarding Medicare and health insurance.

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”That might be irritating to some seniors,” said program manager Anne Antoville. “It might also make them feel pressured to sign up for something.”

Medicare beneficiaries do not need to make a choice regarding Medicare drug plans over the phone. There are no penalties for late enrollment until May 15.

Antoville added that seniors should beware of scams. People marketing legitimate plans cannot request personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers over the telephone.

”Never before has the Medicare administration, known as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, allowed insurance and health care corporation representatives to ‘cold call’ (unsolicited calls to private homes) people with Medicare, in an effort to sell a Medicare-related insurance product,” state the California Health Advocates, a nonprofit organization dedicated to timely and responsive education and advocacy efforts on behalf of California Medicare beneficiaries and the pre-retirement population.

”This new opportunity for telemarketing is of great concern -- think of the vulnerable elders who may not understand their options and end up buying something that isn’t right for them,” said Julie Schoen, director with California Health Advocates’ Senior Medicare Patrol Project, in a press release.


For more information on medicare drug benefits visit Medicoverage's senior section

Source: Times-Standard