topic Re: Medicare Helpline in Community Chat

Medicare Helpline

Katcat1 — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:25:04 GMT

I am ready to scream with their misleading commercials -- "It's Free"

Re: Medicare Helpline

Bhvbum — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:38:19 GMT

Your Medicare headline is misleading too, the company who is advertising this has nothing official to do with Medicare.

Re: Medicare Helpline

Imadickens — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:40:49 GMT

It makes me so sad that they are tricking older people! I'm surprised they are allowed to get away with NOT saying they are not affiliated with Medicare or the govt!

Re: Medicare Helpline

kaydee50 — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:52:46 GMT

I never got the impression that these commercials were Medicare sponsored. They are a "helpline" and IMO Medicare is complicated and help would be appeciated by many people. The "helpline" is free although I also think some Advantage plans are "free" depending on where you live. So I do not find them misleading at all.

Re: Medicare Helpline

shaggygirl — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 19:55:09 GMT

They may or may not be misleading but one thing they definitely are is annoying.

Especially if they involve J. Namath or J. Walker (the former DYNOMITE guy).

Re: Medicare Helpline

Caffeina — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 22:35:03 GMT

@Imadickens wrote:
It makes me so sad that they are tricking older people! I'm surprised they are allowed to get away with NOT saying they are not affiliated with Medicare or the govt!

They do put a disclaimer on the screen. It's really small and doesn't appear for long, so some might not notice it.

Help navigating Medicare is available from your state's SHIP (State Health Insurance Program). It's free!

https://www.shiphelp.org/

Re: Medicare Helpline

Duckncover — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 22:39:57 GMT

They are misleading. It does mention your zip code, and I know some of the perks they mention as " free" are only available in lower-income zip codes. I find the commercials tacky and annoying...and they come out every year during re-enrollment time. Have been getting the junk mail version for a couple of weeks now.

Re: Medicare Helpline

Mindy D — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 23:43:50 GMT

They should not legally be allowed to use the word Medicare in their advertising. This tricks consumers into thinking they are contacting Medicare.

Re: Medicare Helpline

CelticCrafter — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:10:52 GMT

@Duckncover wrote:
They are misleading. It does mention your zip code, and I know some of the perks they mention as " free" are only available in lower-income zip codes. I find the commercials tacky and annoying...and they come out every year during re-enrollment time. Have been getting the junk mail version for a couple of weeks now.

Re thevjunk mail, just today we got 4, all for my husband. Right into the shredder they went. I guess tomorrow I will get mine.

What a waste of paper.

Re: Medicare Helpline

Katcat1 — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:11:12 GMT

@Imadickens I totally agree with you. It's like the radar is out for all seniors to try and trick them into buying the 9.95 (lifetime coverage if you pay your premiums) so how much is the insurance total; what is lifetime? Your lifetime no. or strictly lifetime? I receive so much jiunk mail "your warranty has run out" -- yes, it has 10 years ago! LOL

Re: Medicare Helpline

Katcat1 — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:13:11 GMT

@kaydee50 I do because the way they word the commercial they want people to believe they are from Medicare when in reality they are an insurance agency.

Re: Medicare Helpline

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:23:12 GMT

Whatever happened to truth in advertising?

Re: Medicare Helpline

gertrudecloset — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 01:42:31 GMT

@Duckncover wrote:
They are misleading. It does mention your zip code, and I know some of the perks they mention as " free" are only available in lower-income zip codes. I find the commercials tacky and annoying...and they come out every year during re-enrollment time. Have been getting the junk mail version for a couple of weeks now.

zip code doesn't matter so much as an area's median income. Many people living in "lower-income" zip codes (no such thing, mind you) would not qualify for those not so free perks @Duckncover .

Zip code just speaks to what's available in that area; it's not an income qualifier.

Re: Medicare Helpline

Nuttmeg — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 02:34:57 GMT

I don't like the ads either, but insurance is business. We seniors just have to be careful selecting a plan.

Re: Medicare Helpline

shaggygirl — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 10:40:26 GMT

If you have a pause button on your remote control you can hit it to stop the ad and read all that fine print. If you call the number given you are put in touch with an insurance agent.

Re: Medicare Helpline

CalminHeart — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 11:19:44 GMT

It's obvious to me that companies advertising about Medicare plans are not affiliated with Medicare. They all give their company names in the ads.

Stick with checking available plans in your area by using mymedicare.com.

Re: Medicare Helpline

Patriot3 — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 12:34:49 GMT

What a bunch of junk! I mute all those commercials, but I know there are unsuspecting people out there who fall for that stuff.

I would never be a spokesman for that junk. Don't know how their conscience lets them do that!

Re: Medicare Helpline

Imadickens — Sat, 23 Oct 2021 03:15:43 GMT

You too? I still get calls about cars we haven’t owned for years!