WARNING!! If you are turning 65 over the next few months you will be inundated with mail, phone calls and sometimes people actually knocking on your door. These are just three of the ways companies market Medicare health and drug plans. Over the next couple of weeks, we will look at different marketing methods and what the companies are trying to accomplish with each.
Phone calls – Supplement companies are well known for making out bound calls to people turning 65. Once they have you on the line, they’re only objective is to sell you a Medicare plan. It’s perfectly ok to sign up over the phone but, if you have a problem with the plan you enrolled in, your agent may be in Florida or California and unwilling to help you. Also, if you ever fill out a request for information online, that request is immediately sent out to several agents and the phone calls will double. Door knocking – I’ve never understood why anyone would buy something as important as their Medicare health plan from someone who showed up unannounced at their door. People who market door to door are usually out of town agents. They will buy the same list that direct mail companies buy and literally find your house and knock on your door. It is not a good idea to buy this way for a couple of reasons. First, are you willing to trust someone who shows up at your door with your personal information, such as Social Security number and checking account information. Secondly, it can be dangerous!! Any law enforcement person would advise you to never allow someone you don’t know into your house. The solution to this is to find a local agent that can help you. They will make sure you get the right plan and you’ll be able to find them if you need them.
If you have questions regarding any aspect of Medicare or Medicare health plans feel free call us at Alabama Health Guidance (256-648-5710), stop by our office at 885 Florence Blvd (Four Lane Shopping Center) or email me at ikey@alabamahealthguidance.com.
Alabama Health Guidance is an independent insurance agency and is not affiliated with Medicare or any other government agency.