Medicare Marketing Violations and Misleading Marketing

Health insurance companies try to reach people in various ways, like television commercials, radio ads, events, mailings, phone calls, and texts. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has rules for marketing Medicare Advantage plans and Part D plans, though. These rules protect Medicare beneficiaries from aggressive or misleading marketing.

Report potential Medicare marketing violations and/or misleading marketing if someone:

• Says they are from or sent by Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid
• Offers you gifts if you agree to sign up for their plan
• Sends you text message or calls you without your permission
• Pressures you to enroll in their plan
• Approaches you in public and tries to sell you a plan

Caregivers and family members, be on the lookout for:

• People who show up at your loved one’s home and try to sell them a Medicare plan
• People who offer your loved one gifts or money to sign up for a plan
• Medicare plan flyers left at your loved one’s door or on their car

Watch this video to learn how to read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) and Explanation of Benefits (EOB).

Report Suspected Fraud

To report suspected fraud, click here.