I got a call from a "Medicare agent" promising me free groceries and I almost fell for it. Why is this kind of marketing allowed?

Question

Gregg Matheny · Accepted Answer

It’s unfortunate but there are a few loopholes in Medicare marketing guidelines that allow agents to discuss benefits associated with “DSNP’s” (Dual Special needs plans) on cold calls. These types of plans require that you have both Medicare and Medicaid, if you have both of these then there may be a DSNP plan available in your area that includes a”healthy food and produce” benefit that gives you a monthly allowance towards OTC items and groceries. Unfortunately I think a commonly used tactic is the “bait and switch”. Agents/brokers have to be a little more transparent if you were to physically meet them and go over your plan options. Be a good practice To ask these individuals “how are these benefits available to me” or simply just hang up. This sure isn’t a way to conduct good business but some brokers do engage in this.

Answered by Gregg Matheny on April 1, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ & UT

Answered by Gregg Matheny Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

Medicare is trying to stop these unwanted calls.  However, they still contact you even if your name is on the Do Not Call List.  Most of these calls are made illegal and transferred to a contracted agent.   Upon answering the phone, I was told this was what I had been told.  I am 65 and have blocked over 600 numbers on my phone.

The information on the free grocery card is partially correct.  It depends on your qualifications, location, plan type, or whether you are on Medicaid.  These plans are available through some Medicare Advantage plans.

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

There are some Medicare advantage that offer that.  Many times it’s tied to being on Medicaid but not all plans.

Terri Reagin · Answer

Its really not. There is all kinds of strict rules and regulations that telemarketers must follow in order to be compliant. The short answer is not every person that tries to contact you is compliant. Here are a few of the rules that ethical agents follow:

1. unsolicited contact is not permitted without express written consent- thats why its important you do not respond to text or emails that you do not personally know the sender.

2. they are not permitted to door knock, or approach you in common areas such as doctors offices, without express prior written consent.

3. they are not allowed to talk about the benefits of a medicare advantage plan (AKA grocery benefits) without a signed scope of appointment.

4. they are not allowed to target specific demographics like low income, or minorities

If you see this happening, you can always call 1-800 MEDICARE to report the behavior. I hope this helps.

Christy Jones · Answer

Unfortunately, there are many agents that will tell people they can get free groceries when they don’t actually qualify for that benefit. It is helpful to let people know that there is a benefit like that available but they don’t tell you that you must qualify for that particular plan. Most of the time plans with a with a grocery benefit are for people that have low income and qualify for Medicaid.

Answered by Christy Jones on June 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in ID, AL, AR & 20 other states

Answered by Christy Jones Medicare Insurance Agent

Richard Moreno · Answer

There are plans that do offer cards to use for food, over the counter medicine etc. Not everyone qualifies and it shouldn’t be a promise. You can complain to CMS- center for Medicare/Medicaid Services

Answered by Richard Moreno on June 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, FL, LA, NM & OH

Answered by Richard Moreno Medicare Insurance Agent

Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF · Answer

No, it is not. Although there maybe plans available in your area that has ancillary benefits like this, no agents are permitted to call you without having your express consent to do so before the call. I would report the number to the Department of Insurance in your state and the FTC for calling you when not allowed.

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF on July 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH, GA, IN, KY & SC

Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF Medicare Insurance Agent

William Gray · Answer

You should not be receiving unsolicited calls from an insurance agent it is not allowed regarding Medicare Advantage plans. 

The benefit that is being discussed is available under certain plans but should not in my opinion be the main reason to choose a plan.

I think the primary concern is that there are people who willfully violate marketing rules and this is one of them if not solicited by you.

Amy Putrino · Answer

It's not allowed. This type of tele-marketing is the sign of a call-center or unscrupulous brokers. They will promise you benefits like: dental, vision, over-the-counter allowance, fitness, hearing, cash back in your Social Security benefits, etc. Telephone solicitation/marketing by phone is NOT allowed for Medicare Advantage plans by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, without your consent/request. My advice would be, if someone's first impression is to use an illegal marketing tactic, they may not be the person you want to be trusting with your personal infomation.

Answered by Amy Putrino on July 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in RI, CT, FL & 11 other states

Answered by Amy Putrino Medicare Insurance Agent

Diane Andree · Answer

This kind of marketing is not allowed. No one is supposed to be soliciting you regarding Medicare or enrolling in a Plan or any special offers that you might not even qualify for. Please do not give out any personal information to anyone over the phone that you don't know.

Answered by Diane Andree on March 29, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY

Answered by Diane Andree Medicare Insurance Agent

Jay Carlton · Answer

This is not allowed and against CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) rules, you can report the agent and the company for this act. With that said, there are plans that have built in amounts for groceries and over the counter items. Check with your local agent.

Answered by Jay Carlton on April 7, 2025

Agent Licensed in UT

Answered by Jay Carlton Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

.Believe it or not, there ARE some plans that offer you free groceries and free over-the-counter products if you join their plan. This is an enticing offer and sometimes that very benefit overwhelms someone since anything free is a boon (supposedly) to your finances. You must look at the overall benefits of the plan & not just a "niche" benefits. The crackdown on enticements like that have already taken place a few years ago when Joe Namath, Jimmie Walker and actor William Devane talked about a plan that many people already had in place but didn't know it. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) forced this company to re-shoot those TV commercials to eliminate the misleading parts of their plan.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on April 17, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Tammy Stoner · Answer

The "Medicare agent" calls are frustrating for both members and agents. 

CMS rules on marketing allow members of a plan to be contacted and offered other benefits. 
It is true there may be a plan specific benefit that offers groceries, however, there are often qualifying conditions that must be met to be eligible. Your trusted agent knows what plans are available and what a beneficiary would qualify for.  
You may request to be on a Do Not Call list

Christie Bondos · Answer

It's not and I'm glad you didn't take the bait.. Agents shouldn't promise folks anything based on a phone call. IF you're interested in Value Added benefits you can contact an agent for more information. Don't ever give any personal identifying information over the phone to a stranger.

Answered by Christie Bondos on May 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in CT

Answered by Christie Bondos Medicare Insurance Agent

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

You're right to be wary. While some Medicare Advantage plans genuinely offer grocery allowances as a benefit, unsolicited calls promising free groceries from someone claiming to be a "Medicare agent" are often a form of deceptive marketing or a scam.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on August 16, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian Medicare Insurance Agent

Andrew Kramer · Answer

Firstly, it is 100% illegal, according to CMS, for a Medicare Agent (aka a licensed health insurance agent) to "cold call" anyone and pitch a Medicare Advantage plan, without giving prior permission for the call, either in writing (returning a post card), or verbal. As for the "free groceries" that's only available to someone who has both Medicare and Medicaid, and enrolling in a Dual Medicare Advantage plan. I tell my clients who receive such calls to get the name of the agent and report him/her to both CMS and the company they represent. They will lose their contract!

Answered by Andrew Kramer on August 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Jaye Maxx Alexander II · Answer

That form of marketing is not allowed, and that agent from a call center was not honest, which is not allowed. I am glad you didn't fall for the marketing.

Randy Hill · Answer

I’m so glad you asked — and even happier you didn’t fall for it. Let me explain what’s going on here.

Here’s the truth:

No real Medicare agent is allowed to promise you free groceries just to sign up for a plan. That breaks the rules.

These people are usually telemarketers, not real licensed agents.

They want to trick you into switching your Medicare plan even if it’s not a good one for you.

Once you sign up, they get paid, and you’re stuck with a plan that might not cover your doctors or your meds.
---

So why is this allowed?

It’s not!
The government has strict rules about Medicare marketing, but:

Some people ignore the rules and call anyway.

They use fake names and spoofed numbers, which makes them hard to track.

Medicare does investigate and shut them down when they can, but it’s like playing whack-a-mole, new ones pop up every day.
---

What You Can Do:

1. Hang up right away if someone offers free gifts, groceries, or cash to join a Medicare plan.

2. Report the call to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.

3. Only work with trusted, licensed agents (like me!) who will never pressure you or offer fake rewards.
---

Remember:
If someone’s plan is really good — they won’t need to bribe you with a grocery card to get you to join.

Your healtcare coverage is the most important part of any plan. Make sure your doctors and prescriptions are covered in any plan you select.

Let me know if you ever get another suspicious call — I’ll help you spot the fakes and keep you protected.

Here are the Top Scams to Watch Out For

1. “FREE Groceries” or Gift Cards
If someone says you’ll get free groceries or a gift card for joining a plan, hang up!

This is against Medicare rules

They're likely trying to switch your plan without telling you what you’re really getting

2. Fake “Medicare Agent” Calls
Real agents don’t call you out of nowhere without permission

If they ask for your Medicare number, hang up

Never give your Social Security number or banking info to a stranger

Jamie Herrick · Answer

This is a great question!
If you have Medicare and Medicaid you may qualify for this benefit!
Check with an agent!

Christopher Stewart · Answer

It is not. It is not legal to cold call Medicare beneficiaries. Unfortunately, this continues to be a problem. The best way around this is to ONLY speak with your agent/broker or your current insurance carrier about your Medicare plan and options.

Answered by Christopher Stewart on May 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AZ, CO & KS

Answered by Christopher Stewart Medicare Insurance Agent

Rene Casanova · Answer

This is true only for people what have both Medicare and Medicaid referred to as Dual Eligibles. The type of plans that do offer some coverage to cover the cost of groceries as a benefit are HMO plans only that require you choose a Primary Care Physician from the network and get a referral to see a specialist. You cannot go out of network or risk paying 100% of the bill. Very rich in benefits, but only for people who qualify.

Answered by Rene Casanova on April 29, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Rene Casanova Medicare Insurance Agent

Rodrigo Ferrer · Answer

It's a very difficult thing to realize that everyday you are a prime target for scammers and thieves. That type of marketing isn't allowed or sanctioned by Medicare, but who's to stop it? A legitimate agent will not cold call you. It's illegal. A legitimate agent won't make false promises or mislead you. That's illegal too. A legitimate agent won't rush you to enroll or use scare tactics. Illegal and Illegal. So who can you trust? Remember what we all learned in kindergarten? Never talk to strangers. That may seem harsh, but it's a good rule of thumb. If someone calls you and you have not requested them to, it's illegal and most likely a scam. Ask some questions about the agent... where are they licensed (and license number), who do they represent, how long have they done this, what's their website etc etc. Get to know who you are dealing with so it's no longer just a stranger helping you with your Medicare. If not, buyer beware.

Answered by Rodrigo Ferrer on April 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in CT

Answered by Rodrigo Ferrer Medicare Insurance Agent

Jennifer Ragborg · Answer

Unfortunately, there are some bad actors in the industry who will try to sow doubt that you have a good plan for you so you will invite them into your life.  Many of the promises including free groceries and "money back from the government" are available only to those on government assistance.

This isn't marketing nor is it allowed.

I got a call from a "Medicare agent" promising me free groceries and I almost fell for it. Why is this kind of marketing allowed?

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I got a call from a "Medicare agent" promising me free groceries and I almost fell for it. Why is this kind of marketing allowed?

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