Should there be stricter regulations on Medicare Advantage marketing and sales practices?
Answered by 72 licensed agents
The intent of stricter regulations is good but it could also hinder the good agents but adding more red tape to do the right thing. Not every agent is going to be deceptive. Most agents have good intentions and want to do right by the client.
Answered by Craig Kirscht on May 2, 2025
Broker Licensed in CO, FL, IA, OK & SD
Answered by Gary Church on August 17, 2025
Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX
Hi, thanks for watching. So this person asks, should there be stricter regulations on Medicare Advantage marketing and sales practices? I’ll tell you, I came from the group benefits world. I had a group benefits agency for 20 years and I did health insurance for small companies. There are basically, there’s not no rules, but the rules are very lax. Medicare is extremely highly regulated. Meaning when we call people, when we're doing a sales presentation, most things have to be recorded. The regulations they have are really, really strict now. What’s happening is all these call centers that are calling people out of the blue, first of all, they’re not supposed to be able to do that. But if there was a way to crack down on that, those are the people that are the worst offenders. They’re the ones making it bad for the good agents, the good local agents that are just trying to do a good job. But the regulations are pretty strict now. I can’t imagine them getting any stricter, honestly.
Answered by Steve and Sue Brauer on August 30, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ & CA
Telemarketing should be outlawed for 65+ seniors.
BEWARE IF YOU GET A CALL ASKING FOR YOUR PERSONNAL INFO
Answered by Mike Alexander on October 1, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AR & 16 other states
Answered by Daniel Brechin on September 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in AL, FL, KY, MS & TN
Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown on May 30, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, AL, CO & 10 other states
New regulations are being implemented to make sure that all have a good experience
with Medicare Advantage.
Answered by Bill Wheeler on July 25, 2025
Broker Licensed in KY & IN
Should there be stricter regulations on Medicare Advantage marketing and sales practices? My answer to that is the government, which always offered Medicare Part A and B, called Original Medicare, decided in the '90s, "Hey, let's give folks another option," and sent it over to the insurance companies. Unfortunately, these Medicare Advantage 800 numbers and all the ads you see only sell Medicare Advantage, so they're only going to tell you how great they are and blind you with zero premiums every month. You can get glasses and you can get hearing aids. What they don't mention is there's always a maximum out-of-pocket every year for what folks go to the hospital and the doctors for with Medicare Advantage plans.
In the state of New Hampshire, where I am at my State Farm agency on Kelly Street, it's anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 a year out of pocket. So that's each and every year. Work with someone like myself who can offer not only Medicare Advantage but also Medicare Supplement and help you choose a Medicare Part D prescription plan. That's what I do on a daily basis. I do Medicare planning, I do retirement planning, and I do Social Security planning.
That's a great question. I wish I had the actual answer for it, but the government is pushing people towards those Medicare Advantage plans. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy theorist here, 'cause I'm not. Again, I offer both Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement, so I wish you the best of luck.
Answered by Tony Capraro III on April 21, 2025
Agent Licensed in NH & ME
I will add, check them out with a platform like Medicare Agents Hub, etc. before doing business with them. Ask your friends and family for referrals.
Answered by Edward Smith, ChFC, CRPS, AIF on December 29, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH, GA, IN, KY & TN
Answered by Lynn C Shurtleff on September 11, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, AR, CO & 6 other states
Answered by Steven Lovell on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in GA, AL, CA & 11 other states
The high pressured scammers are the problem and not following any rules. I get calls every 10 minutes from people trying to pressure me and make false claims about insurance and I am a broker!!
Answered by Tasha Riggs on March 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in CO, AZ, HI & 10 other states
The main reason is that Medicare is complicated, and many beneficiaries are vulnerable to confusing or misleading sales tactics. KFF has documented beneficiary concerns about aggressive marketing and the difficulty people have understanding their options, especially during enrollment season. 
That said, the goal should not be to shut down legitimate education or ethical sales conversations. The better approach is stricter oversight of misleading ads, stronger disclosure requirements, clearer distinctions between educational events and sales events, and tougher penalties for brokers or organizations that misrepresent benefits, provider access, or plan costs.
Answered by Cody Biggs on March 23, 2026
Broker Licensed in LA, AL, AZ & 24 other states
Answered by Patricia 'Tif" Bush on September 7, 2025
Broker Licensed in ct, FL, NC & SC
Answered by Joanna Finnegan on August 6, 2025
Broker Licensed in ID, AR, AZ & 31 other states
Answered by Sandra Bailey on May 19, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, AL, AR & 13 other states
Answered by Mark Sannes on March 5, 2026
Broker Licensed in WA, AK, AZ & 11 other states
Answered by Ron Kaemmerer on February 16, 2026
Broker Licensed in IL, AL, FL, KS, MO & TX
Answered by Tammera Marrs on May 1, 2025
Broker Licensed in KS
Answered by Wendy Lollar on February 9, 2026
Broker Licensed in LA, AR, FL, MS & TX
Answered by Brady Kidwell on June 4, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, FL, GA & KY, NC, SC & VA
Answered by Mackenzie Anderson on July 3, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX
Answered by Jackson Stodgel on December 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, CA, IL & 12 other states
Answered by Rob Myers on August 18, 2025
Broker Licensed in PA
The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) forced these commercials to be redone and to eliminate the misleading information but still used those same celebrities as if nothing was wrong. This was a prime example of the need for greater supervision of these overly frequent TV commercials.
Moreover, there are Medicare agents who are known as "captive agents". These folks can only sell healthcare plans for one company. Therefore, it is incumbent upon you to find 2nd and sometimes 3rd opinions from independent representatives who are affiliated with various companies who can offer both Med. Supplements, as well as Med. Advantage plans. There is a wide difference between these two plans. In my opinion, it is essential to find an honest broker who can describe the major differences between those 2 plans. Moreover, the most expensive plan is NOT always the best plan. Check out the premiums along with the value of a plan's annual deductible if you're interested in an Advantage plan.
Answered by Steven Bleicher on April 6, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
Answered by Steve Houchens on April 16, 2025
Agent Licensed in KY & TN
Consumers should be educated on what snd what is not allowed.
Answered by Jim Tretola on August 18, 2025
Broker Licensed in NJ, CA, CT & 6 other states
Answered by Michael Pyers on May 6, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH & MI
Answered by Cleo Martin on August 22, 2025
Agent Licensed in SC, FL, GA, MI & NC
Answered by Deb Haley on April 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in MA, AZ, CA & 11 other states
Answered by David Ryerson on August 13, 2025
Agent Licensed in AR, KS, MO & OK
Answered by David Haynes on March 9, 2026
Broker Licensed in TX
Answered by Shalonda Cave on January 12, 2026
Agent Licensed in OH, AZ & FL
Answered by Paul Wyatt on May 19, 2026
Broker Licensed in TN, KY & MS
Answered by Carolyn Duncan on July 16, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, CA, CO & 12 other states
Answered by Jessica Breland on April 14, 2025
Broker Licensed in LA
Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on April 10, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 22 other states
Answered by Gary Henderson on April 14, 2025
Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 46 other states
Answered by Andrew Kramer on June 6, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
Say the tell telemarketing calls need to be gotten under control. My clients get tired of receiving multiple calls Per Day from those who want to promise them something/a plan that they do not qualify for.
Answered by Carol Thompson on May 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, LA, MI & NC, SC, VA & WI
Answered by Dean Chiapetto on November 1, 2025
Broker Licensed in VA, MD, NC, TN & WV
Answered by Jaye Maxx Alexander II on September 1, 2025
Broker Licensed in NC, AK, AL & 47 other states
Answered by Mel Stevens on December 20, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ
I used to work for a large brokerage which ran ads on TV saying something to the effect of “if you have medicare, you may qualify for a debit card that gives you up to $200 per month for food” and people would call in wanting that debit card. They never saw the fine print that says it was only certain plans and that you had to qualify for that benefit, and if you DID qualify, you’d have to switch plans. It was left up to me, the agent who answers the phone, to have that conversation - which often did not go well.
So, in my opinion, ads like that are a bit sketchy. If every drug ad has to list the possible side effects of the drug, medicare ads that speak about a popular but not universal benefit should have to provide that clarity.
BUT - that’s just my opinion. 😉
Answered by Rich Baker on June 3, 2026
Broker Licensed in CO, AR, AZ & 7 other states
Clear, honest explanations about networks, authorizations, and out‑of‑pocket costs help people choose what really fits them, instead of getting swept up in hype or ‘zero premium’ ads.
As long as the focus stays on transparency and education, tighter oversight can actually protect both beneficiaries and the good agents who are already doing things the right way.
Answered by Tamela Clayton on May 27, 2026
Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AZ & 12 other states
There’s been a big increase in Medicare Advantage ads on TV, online, and even through phone calls and mail — and not all of it is helpful or accurate. Some of the marketing can be confusing or even misleading, which is why there’s been more attention on whether there should be tighter rules in place.
In fact, Medicare has already started cracking down a bit by adding more guidelines around how plans and agents can advertise. The goal is to protect people from being misled or pressured into a plan that doesn’t really suit their needs.
That said, I believe there’s a balance. There should be strong protections in place for consumers, but we also don’t want to make it harder for people to get real help from licensed agents who are trying to do things the right way.
When I work with clients, my focus is always on clear information and honest guidance — no pressure, just support.
Thanks,
Toni Chavez
Medicare Broker
Answered by Toni Chavez on June 8, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, NM, NV & UT
Answered by Gary Haft on September 22, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, AL, DC & 9 other states
Answered by Ken Banks on January 26, 2026
Broker Licensed in GA, AL, DC & 5 other states
Answered by Larry Pereiro on October 20, 2025
Agent Licensed in IN
Answered by Fran Lovelace on June 19, 2025
Agent Licensed in NC, SC & VA
Answered by Robert Nunn on July 17, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 36 other states
Answered by Patricia Graham on August 12, 2025
Agent Licensed in WA
Answered by Ray Rios on November 1, 2025
Agent Licensed in AZ, CO, FL & KY, MO, NM & TX
At the same time, I believe this is a problem, not with agents, but with the insurance carriers and their marketing tactics. I don't think this can be solved with another form agents have to get signed in order to conduct business (there are enough of those already). There needs to be more truth and transparency in the marketing of these products.
Answered by Lyle Affleck on July 28, 2025
Agent Licensed in UT, CO, FL & 8 other states
Answered by Jason Marshall on November 16, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA
Most of the advertising done by Third Party Marketing Organizations in regards to Medicare Advantage are at best misleading and often flat out lies. Claims that "EVERY SENIOR GETS A FOOD CARD, GROCERY CARD or FLEX CARD" or "EVERY SENIOR GETS DENTAL IMPLANTS" just aren't true, and the agencies buying the leads generated from this false advertising know this. It's classic "BAIT and SWITCH," and it should be illegal.
Answered by Michael Caldwell on July 3, 2025
Broker Licensed in IN, AL, AR & 31 other states
Answered by Danielle Jimison on January 26, 2026
Broker Licensed in OH & PA
Answered by Frances Eleanor Mitchell on June 8, 2026
Agent Licensed in Fl & CT
Answered by Christopher Matthews on November 1, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
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Broker Licensed in Tx, CO, IA & 9 other states
Answered by Tammam Tayara on September 18, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, NM, OR & TX
Answered by Uchennah Okafor on March 9, 2026
Agent Licensed in TX
Answered by Rob Baer on March 30, 2026
Agent Licensed in SC, AL, CO & 15 other states
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Agent Licensed in WA, AZ, CA & 5 other states
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Agent Licensed in OH, AZ, CO & TX
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Agent Licensed in VA
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Agent Licensed in SC
Answered by Bridget Joseph on April 9, 2026
Agent Licensed in OH, FL, KY, SC, VA & WI
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Agent Licensed in CT, FL, MA & NY, OH, TX & WA
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Agent Licensed in FL, AZ, CT & 9 other states
Answered by Frank Fuss on November 30, 2025
Broker Licensed in MI, AZ, FL & 8 other states
Answered by Ray Downes on August 18, 2025
Agent Licensed in WV
Tags: Agent Interview Medicare Advantage The Medicare System
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