EasyMedicare.com cold calling Advantage plans

1) There's nothing wrong with making unsolicited calls about Medicare and Private insurance. It becomes problematic when they're calling for Medicare Advantage specifically.

2) Bait and switch is making unsolicited calls about other business as a means to generate leads for Medicare Plans.

As the the org was calling about Medicare, and doesn't know if the person has a Medicare Advantage plan, it isn't bait and switch.

For example, this organization sells Medicare Supplements as well, despite what the Op thinks. It doesn't make it bait and switch if she brings up she has a Medicare Advantage plan and he talks generally about the plan itself, generally, or even talks about her plan specifically.

3) As I said before, if they brought up UHC, that's a violation. Now, if in the process of talking about her plans she says something like, "I don't like that my plan doesn't have dental, does yours?" That's a request for solicitation and a scope needs to be signed.

Another example, "I have Medicare Advantage."

Agent, "How do you like it?"

"I like okay, I don't like that I have to stay in network or I don't have coverage."

Agent, "Oh, I hear that often, not all plans have networks but it seems yours does."

Not a solicitation. Slimy and stretching it, sure.. because they're being led to ask if the agent has any plans like that, but they weren't solicited.

Like I said, if Op really feels there's a violation, his client should report it. It'll get investigated and UHC could pull contracts if it's found to be non-compliant. CMS could be contacted too for tracking and if there's a history it could be fined.

However, calling it a bait and switch is inaccurate.

I've heard from different agents that certain carriers like to sweep such issues under the carpet because they don't want to be dinged by CMS. I'm not sure how true that is?
 
Honestly, I don't worry about what anyone else dies anymore.

Here's the skinny:

People are going to market to your clients. If you're doing your job right, you don't need to worry about some call center breaking CMS laws or not.
 
You can call anyone you want and ask if they would like a Medicare review. If you are upset by this, please file a complaint.


If you get a consumer complaint the first thing the carrier will ask you is how did you get PTC and if you respond it was as a result of converting a cold call for " medicare reviews" to the MA sale you will have a problem.
 
If you get a consumer complaint the first thing the carrier will ask you is how did you get PTC and if you respond it was as a result of converting a cold call for " medicare reviews" to the MA sale you will have a problem.


Unless the prospect asked for info on MA plans, And the agent has a history of selling Med Supps at a decent %
 
Unless the prospect asked for info on MA plans, And the agent has a history of selling Med Supps at a decent %

I think some agents get their panties too much in a wad whenever anyone call their clients. Their first instinct is to want to run to CMS.

If you're doing your job right, they won't even talk to the person. Just as an FYI, I've only had one person call me and say they have an agent. I politely thank them and remove them off my list.

If I was into cold calling (which I'm not.. or even calling leads I didn't generate myself.. either online, direct mail, or by referral) I would call to do Medicare reviews all day long.

I sell both MA and MS and I don't really care which one you use. I, as a person, prefer MS because I think it's better, but if someone says they want an MAPD I'm going to have them sign a scope and sell it. It's the same thing with dental.. I don't like it, I advise to self insure, but if you want it I'll sell it.

Report me. I really don't care. Maybe 40% of my book is mapd.

PS: Anyone looking for a Medicare Review?
 
****Disclaimer****
I am not a company representative nor legal counsel. Should you feel a need to contact for further assistance please review e-telequote.com for further assistance.

I work for and have so for the last going on 5 years after I closed CIS. The comp is beyond fair, benefits awesome and workability reasonable. It's been some time since I posted I get that. However some posting with no working knowledge of how this operation works slandering the company, I felt a need to post. I respect many of you...or most. @tod King I'm really disappointed with what you posted. As an FMO you should realize you don't know what you don't know and the liability for your organization that this creates. Assuming anything without working knowledge of the business and it's model is just bad business.

For the other "Upset" agents here. I can assure you with 100% certainty that all calls are recorded and compliant based on CMS regulations. The last oaf that tried to play that game is on the hook for undisclosed penalties should they continue with the false claims.

Many (most) of you don't have an understanding of how MA/MAPD sales work over the phone. This is made clear when there is mention of a SOA. If you don't know and want to learn ask those questions and don't assume. It makes you to those who have a legal understanding of the industry look as such.

I understand that this is a self serve agent forum for the most part. This is a legit opportunity for those willing to grab ahold of it.
 
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Either way, they still tried to sell her UHC, and as far as I see, there is no mention of a scope being signed or even sent.....so that is a violation if it did not get sent or signed.
Mr. King, please show me where CMS or any other carrier has this requirement for a phone sale. You CAN'T. Stick with face to face FE sales. As someone that looked up to your ORG and the lack of knowledge you are disseminating on a public forum regarding the matter...I am just speechless.


****Disclaimer****
I am not a company representative nor legal counsel. Should you feel a need to contact for further assistance please review e-telequote.com for further assistance.

I work for and have so for the last going on 5 years after I closed CIS. The comp is beyond fair, benefits awesome and workability reasonable. It's been some time since I posted I get that. However some posting with no working knowledge of how this operation works slandering the company, I felt a need to post. I respect many of you...or most. @tod King I'm really disappointed with what you posted. As an FMO you should realize you don't know what you don't know and the liability for your organization that this creates. Assuming anything without working knowledge of the business and it's model is just bad business.

For the other "Upset" agents here. I can assure you with 100% certainty that all calls are recorded and compliant based on CMS regulations. The last oaf that tried to play that game is on the hook for undisclosed penalties should they continue with the false claims.

Many (most) of you don't have an understanding of how MA/MAPD sales work over the phone. This is made clear when there is mention of a SOA. If you don't know and want to learn ask those questions and don't assume. It makes you to those who have a legal understanding of the industry look as such.

I understand that this is a self serve agent forum for the most part. This is a legit opportunity for those willing to grab ahold of it.
 
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