Red Flags To Look For In Medicare Agents & Brokers

When you’re deciding what to do about Medicare, you have a lot of options. Almost too many options. The sheer amount of information on the subject can be overwhelming. Many people wish to simply have someone they can trust in their corner.

red-flags-to-look-for-in-medicare-agents-brokers Unfortunately, that trustworthy person can be hard to find. The Medicare industry is ripe with brokers and agents who want to sign you up for a plan and disappear forever. They get their commission, and you get stuck in a plan that doesn’t work for you.

If you want to avoid these Medicare professionals, here are a few red flags to look out for when talking to brokers and agents about Medicare.

1. Talking About Perks Instead of Healthcare

We all love perks and bonuses. Gym memberships, grocery cards, OTC cards, the list goes on. But when it comes to Medicare, you should be focusing on your health benefits FIRST. If an agent or broker is leading the conversation with the bonuses you’ll be getting and not the healthcare you’ll be receiving, that’s a massive red flag. If they are focusing on bonuses, shift the conversation over to healthcare. Ask them about networks, copays, referrals, all the issues you’re worried about. This is usually where you can see if the plan is crap or something you would want.

2. They’re In A Call Center Across The Country

The Medicare industry has established sales call centers across the country with the sole purpose of churning out as many Medicare plans as possible. These places contain hundreds of employees who have one goal: getting you the plan that gets them the highest commission. They are trained to use pushy sales techniques and doom and gloom rhetoric to get you to sign up on the spot. And when you need support, they’re nowhere to be found.

These call centers are designed to be impersonal and leave you without a person to call when you need it. We have talked to dozens of clients who initially went with one of these centers, and they could never get in touch with the person who signed them up. You should have someone in your corner that you know you can reach out to when you have issues. Be sure to go with a local Medicare broker that is easily reachable and gives you the resources necessary to fix any issues.

3. They Keep Pushing “Locking In” A Rate

One of the pushy sales techniques used by Medicare agents is to focus on the changing rates of Medicare supplement plans. They need you to sign up for a Supplement TODAY, otherwise in a month or two the rate will rise. This is again, a massive red flag. Many people get spooked with this tactic and sign up for plans they don’t fully understand. The truth is, Medicare supplement rates do rise. But not nearly enough to scare you into signing up for something you can’t grasp. You should be comfortable and confident about your Medicare decisions, not rushing to save $5 a month.

4. They Can’t Stop Talking About Medicare Penalties

Medicare mailers are notorious for their big, bold letter claims about Medicare penalties. They need you to call NOW otherwise you’ll be penalized FOR LIFE. You may get scared enough to pick up the phone and ask the company about these penalties. And once you’re on the phone, they’ll get you to sign up for something you don’t understand.

Medicare penalties are indeed scary. But you have to really mess up your Medicare to start receiving them. If you have a trusted Medicare broker at your side, they will guide you through the process and help you methodically avoid them. Someone in a call center will most likely not be able to.

Conclusion

These red flags will help you learn about what to look out for when dealing with Medicare agents. If you want to avoid all these Red Flags and more, talk to the trusted brokers at NJ Life & Health. We will never rush you, and will always give you the expertise necessary to give you the best Medicare experience possible.

Visit our website www.njlifeandhealth.com or call our office at 848-226-6897