Why does Medicare allow insurance companies to bombard seniors with confusing mail and TV ads?

Question

Diana Garner · Accepted Answer

I wouldn't say Medicare allows it; however, private insurers aggressively market Medicare Advantage plans to gain enrollment and sometimes use tactics that can be confusing.

Some ads or mailings can be misleading, such as promising benefits at a specified amount that isn't correct.

Medicare beneficiaries are more vulnerable. That's why I recommend working with a broker you trust to handle your insurance needs. I tell all of my clients to call me with any questions they have about anything they see on TV or receive in the mail.  This is my way of protecting them from being enrolled in a plan that isn't a good fit for their situation.

Most of the time, the people on the phone you reach to go over your benefits, don't discuss all aspect of your needs such as medications, doctors, etc.

Larry Dalton · Answer

Medicare agents can solicit customers through marketing advertisements and mail, but cannot make unwanted phone calls if you are on the do-not-call list. These calls are not legal! The marketing of Medicare Advantage plans is often very aggressive, and it is recommended that you do not act in haste when dealing with these plans. Medicare Advantage plans can be a very accessible and rewarding substitute for traditional Medicare with a Medigap plan. However, these plans must be carefully considered in conjunction with your in-network physicians and other healthcare providers you may be using in your area.

Answered by Larry Dalton on April 5, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Pennington · Answer

I don’t know except it is very confusing to the senior market. Because they don’t know anything about Medicare, they often get lead into Plans and Benefits that either don’t work or fit their needs. They need a Medicare Broker and Advisor to guide them.

Answered by Robert Pennington on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in NC, GA, SC & VA

Answered by Robert Pennington Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Caldwell · Answer

It's a great question. I would go one even further. Not only why does Medicare allow insurance companies to bombard seniors with confusing mail, tv and radios, but why does Medicare allow insurance companies to blow up seniors phones.

In most cases, it's not the insurance carriers themselves actually doing any of it. It's lead vendors that are responsible for almost all of it. The lead vendors get seniors to give them their information through what is often false or misleading advertising. Then they sell that information to insurance brokerages and agencies. It's the vendors who make the ads, buy tv and radio air time and internet and social media ads, send out the mailers, run the call centers, etc. The agents, the agencies and the brokerages often don't know what is being promised in these ads or by the operators in the lead vendor call centers.

Medicare has taken steps to crack down on the lead vendors, but they need to do more. Seniors need to call their Congressmen and Senators.

Renee Brown · Answer

They are all looking to gain your business. All Medicare plans are good, but
you want to work with a broker that works with all companies and can offer you
the plan that works best for your doctors and medications and not just whatever
plan that agent is selling. Doctors do not take all plans, so you have to make sure 
whatever plan you go into is going to work for you and not against you.

John L Herman Jr · Answer

And don't forget countless telephone calls.  On thing that would end this practice is to block Insurance Companies from selling Plans In-House.  They pay telephone calling squads to dial endlessly to only represent their own Plans.

Independent Brokers do not push one Plan over another if they have integrity.  The License we hold comes with the responsibility to "do what is in the client's best interest" not ours.

Perhaps a better way would be to run a series of videos that explain how Medicare works and the real options we all have...but without showing explicit Plans...make people see an Independent Broker who ca use their software to determine the correct Plan for that individual.

Craig Kirscht · Answer

Honestly from my perspective, there is no real hard check on these companies that send them out. They are able to send out mailers that are misleading and run ads that do the same. Unfortunately that is what advertising as come to.

Answered by Craig Kirscht on April 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in CO, FL, IA, OK & SD

Answered by Craig Kirscht Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

Medicare does not directly allow insurance companies to bombard seniors with confusing marketing materials. However, the current system, which allows private insurance companies to offer and market Medicare Advantage plans, creates an environment where aggressive and potentially misleading advertising is common during Medicare's open enrollment period. This occurs because private insurers have a strong financial incentive to enroll as many seniors as possible in their plans, as these plans are more profitable than traditional Medicare. 
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
Medicare Advantage's Profitability:
Medicare Advantage plans, offered by private insurers, are more profitable than traditional Medicare, making it a lucrative market for these companies. 
Competition for Enrollment:
With more than 60 different Medicare plans available to the average beneficiary, including Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, there is fierce competition among insurers to attract enrollees. 
Aggressive Marketing Tactics:
This competition leads to aggressive marketing tactics, including heavy advertising on television and online, as well as unsolicited calls and mail. 
Misleading Information:
Many seniors report that these marketing materials are confusing, misleading, and sometimes even inaccurate. 
Limited Oversight:
While there are some regulations in place to prevent deceptive marketing practices, they are not always effective, and many seniors find it difficult to navigate the system and report violations. 
Lack of Clear Guidance:
Seniors often struggle to understand the complexities of Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and they may rely on marketing materials for guidance, which can be unreliable, according to the Center for Retirement Research.

Steve Brauer · Answer

Medicare is a highly regulated industry, but yes, they do allow the companies to advertise on TV and radio. Once again...if you have an Independent Broker, it doesn't matter what they advertise, your broker will advise you on what would be the best plan for you

Answered by Steve Brauer on April 16, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ & CA

Answered by Steve Brauer Medicare Insurance Agent

Marcie Barnes · Answer

I wish I knew the answer for that.  The best way to stay informed is have one licensed agent as your point of contact.  If you have questions you will have a subject matter expert to turn to.

If you don't have one feel free to call or text me Marcie Barnes 940-395-6572

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

It's not Medicare's job to regulate how much insurance companies can solicit, just that what they can solicit.  The information has to meet certain criteria.

Deborah Webster · Answer

I personally think they are trying to give seniors access to choices. 
As an agent, I think they are more hindering than helpful. 

Medicare.gov shows seniors all choices online, and they offer a ship office 
for those who don't have access to the internet.

Medicare also welcomes feedback from seniors on Medicare.

Todd Bostic · Answer

To be totally honest and transparent, I’m not a fan of it. Companies have found a loophole that allows them attack seniors in a way that I don’t agree with.

Karen Ansell · Answer

I hate that seniors are bombarded with these ads and phone calls. The government is suppose to cracking down on this but I have not seen it. I turned 65 in 2025 and my phone rings constantly with people trying to sell me plans.

Answered by Karen Ansell on April 22, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, GA, KY & OH

Answered by Karen Ansell Medicare Insurance Agent

Robert Remin · Answer

They are private carriers selling a product and have the same access to advertising as any other company selling whatever. I advise all my newly referred clients not to watch or listen to any of the ads as they create information overload and confusion.

Answered by Robert Remin on May 19, 2025

Agent Licensed in NY, CT, FL & NJ

Answered by Robert Remin Medicare Insurance Agent

Jennifer Zimmerle · Answer

Medicare has started to look at these advertisements. They have not yet begun to look at the deceptive practices these tele-sales groups use to enroll Medicare beneficiaries. These large groups are bombarding seniors with ads that in most cases have nothing to do with them. My suggestion to my clients is to call me if they have any questions about their plan or options they may be eligible for. Please reach out to a trusted local advisor to get help when you need it.

Answered by Jennifer Zimmerle on June 16, 2025

Agent Licensed in LA, MS & TX

Answered by Jennifer Zimmerle Medicare Insurance Agent

Why does Medicare allow insurance companies to bombard seniors with confusing mail and TV ads?

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Why does Medicare allow insurance companies to bombard seniors with confusing mail and TV ads?

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Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

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A non-government resource website