Jack's Blog on Medicare Plan Choices

When it comes to Medicare Advantage Plans and Drug Plans. You bet they do!

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) requires agents to have Permission to Contact (PTC) before making sales calls.

This means:

• They can’t cold-call about Medicare Advantage or Part D.
• They must get prior consent (usually written or documented via email or web form).
• Even if someone gave permission once, the agent can’t just keep calling forever—it has to be for a specific reason.

❗ Exceptions:

• Your current agent may call you about your existing plan.

Here is what I do when I get an unwanted Medicare Plan sales call.

• I ask the person their name and company.
• I ask them if they have written permission to call me.
  • the answer is NO, because I haven’t and you are breaking the law.
• I ask them if they are recording the call.
  • If so, why didn’t you tell me – you are breaking the law.
  • If not, you are breaking the law. Medicare wants to be able to listen to it if necessary.
• By then they are hanging up on me.

What you can do.

1. Don’t Answer Unknown Numbers
   If they don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. Legitimate Medicare agents will typically leave a message.
2. Never Share Personal Info Over the Phone
3. Register on the National Do Not Call List
   Go to donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222. It won’t stop all calls, but it helps cut down on legitimate telemarketing.
4. Report Unwanted or Suspicious Calls
   Encourage them to report calls to:
   • 1-800-MEDICARE
   • Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
   • State Insurance Department

Final Word of Caution to Share

“If you didn’t ask for the call, you don’t owe the caller anything. You don’t need to be polite—just hang up.”