Medicare Recipients Challenged By Health Insurance Companies

"Insurance Commissioner Jim Long urged Medicare recipients - particularly senior citizens -

and their families to be aware that some health insurance companies are employing aggressive

marketing tactics to sell Medicare Advantage products which may mislead consumers. According to the Department's respected Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), many Medicare beneficiaries are receiving bad financial advice leading them to make decisions which are not in their best interest". So wrote Health Plan One in a recent article.

Commissioner Long further said: "..companies are fighting for business. If the number of complaints fielded by SHIIP staff is any indication, some of these companies have resorted to using questionable tactics to win customers ". (Medicare Advantage is HMO, PPO, Medicare Medical Savings Accounts and Private- Fee-for-Service products)

Boomer Generation and older citizens are particularly at risk. Aggressive marketing tactics

ranging from insurance agents soliciting seniors at discount stores to "cold calls" by

agents wishing to set up sales appointments in homes are being used, even recommendations of

canceling other insurance policies to sell theirs. Commissioner Long and the staff at SHIIP

are extremely concerned that this type of solicitation may lead citizens to make poor

decisions that could negatively affect their insurance coverage.

The following recommendations are outlined by Long as things that Medicare recipients should

know about Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Health) plans:

You should fully understand the details and terms regarding Medicare Advantage plans, and

the plan you are looking at specifically. Some things to note include:

1. These plans are part of the Medicare program and provide Part A, Part B and sometimes

additional benefits. You may have to pay a monthly premium, or you may have out-of- pocket costs such as co-pays.

2. Medigap or Medicare Supplement policies do not coordinate with any Medicare Advantage

plan.

3. Not all doctors or hospitals accept all Medicare Advantage plans. Make sure your

healthcare providers will accept the plan you are considering before you buy it, or you may

be stuck paying for all your charges yourself! Call your doctor and ask before you buy.

4. Insurance agents cannot come to your home without permission. If they call you to

schedule an appointment, first do the following:

Get the agent's name, the company name, and a phone number.

Call back to verify the person is who he says he is. If you have any doubts, SHIIP can

tell you if that person is a licensed agent; call 1-800-443-9354.

Try to schedule the appointment for a time when a trusted family member or financial

advisor can be with you. Someone you trust can help you make a decision in your best

interest without giving in to any sales pressures from the agent.

If you have other health insurance, such as your employer plan through retiree coverage,

check with that plan before you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

The main thing which every senior should remember- Do not be pressured into making quick

decisions. The agent can wait for you to think this over, discuss it with someone else, call

your doctor and/or call SHIIP for assistance. SHIIP counselors are specifically trained to

assist you with your health insurance questions. Call 1-800-443-9354.