Medicare open enrollment begins, but be wary of improper marketing

BOISE (Idaho Capital Sun) — The Idaho Department of Insurance is warning consumers to be wary of improper marketing by telemarketers and TV commercials for Medicare, the agency announced in a news release. 

Medicare will be open for enrollment for 2024 starting Sunday through Dec. 7.

The agency says to contact licensed agents, who can be found online, or call the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors at 1-800-247-4422. 

The department says to hang up if callers you don’t have an appointment with ask for private information, like your Medicare number or financial information. The agency also suggests being cautious of changing insurance based on advertisements on TV or in the mail, saying benefits might not be available locally and to request details in writing before signing up for a plan. Before signing up for a plan, the department says to verify that your doctor is in-network and your prescriptions are covered.

“We highly recommend consumers work with a licensed, local agent or someone they know and trust to carefully evaluate plan options,” said Idaho Department of Insurance Director Dean Cameron. “We hope Idahoans will utilize our department and SHIBA if they have any concerns about manipulative or deceptive sales and enrollment tactics. Our role is to protect consumers.”

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare services will not call you about Medicare coverage, the Idaho Department of Insurance says, and companies cannot call to market Medicare Advantage.

The department also says you cannot have both a Medigap supplemental plan and a Medicare Advantage plan.