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If you are not yet 65 you may not know what I am talking about, but the thread title is referring to the annual deluge of paper we get advertising the various Medicare plans. I think it's good to receive information, as we may want to change plans, and the different insurers are obviously eager for our business. But the enormous flood of paper seems like a waste to me because I am quite satisfied with my current plan and I know I am not going to change. I suppose there is nothing to be done about it, as companies have the right to advertise their products in our society.
A couple of years ago I looked into a change, and called a company to get their actual detailed plan information (using the number provided in the advertising material). They said they could not just mail it out but had to present it to me personally, so I reluctantly made an appointment, stressing that I would only have 30 minutes.
Well, some guy showed up, we sat down at my dining room table, and he started reading the description of coverage verbatim to me (it is long - very long!) as I followed on a copy he provided for me. I stopped him, saying I knew how to read and was already familiar with Medicare Advantage Plans, and I asked him to stop reading verbatim and leave me the copy. He said he was not allowed to do that, implying he was not allowed by law to do that. Some consumer protection deal, apparently. I had to kick him out because I was running out of time. I was courteous about it and I felt sorry for the guy, but that ended my interest in his company. The person who had made the appointment over the phone had not prepared me for the amount of time it would take.
This requirement about the long, personal, verbatim reading may well be limited to California - I have no idea. But in any case be forewarned in case you want to ask about it when making an appointment.
Actually I do see a point in the "requirement". It prevents a slick-talking sales person from misrepresenting the plan's coverage provisions by having the salesman present it verbatim. This is probably a valid point for some old people who may be mentally confused, but it certainly didn't apply to me and on that particular day I had only 30 minutes to spare.
Escort, I've never gotten anything like that, and I've had medicare for 10 years. I just have straight Medicare, do you think that might have anything to do with it?
Escort, I've never gotten anything like that, and I've had medicare for 10 years. I just have straight Medicare, do you think that might have anything to do with it?
Not that I want it, I don't need more paper.
It occurred to me after I posted that some areas of the country may have few if any Medicare Advantage Plans offered. (They are authorized to operate by geographical area - counties or groups of counties). Here in Los Angeles County we have scads of them, so that is probably a large part of it.
Are you saying you get no advertising at all in the mail, not even for the supplemental plans (the ones which have letter designations)?
Last edited by Escort Rider; 10-03-2015 at 01:57 AM..
[quote=Escort Rider;41424727]I never did join AARP and I think they have perhaps given up on me at age 71, but I rarely get anything from them anymore.[/q
I am 80 and I got one from AARP yesterday. My wife joined us after we were 50 of so. After she died 7 years ago, I started trashing them.
The only annual mailings I receive this time of year are the "Medicare and You" booklet and info from my Medicare Advantage plan.
Used to receive junk mail from AARP but that ceased after I phoned and had my name removed from their mailing list (same with all of the useless catalogs, etc.).
It occurred to me after I posted that some areas of the country may have few if any Medicare Advantage Plans offered. (They are authorized to operate by geographical area - counties or groups of counties). Here in Los Angeles County we have scads of them, so that is probably a large part of it.
Are you saying you get no advertising at all in the mail, not even for the supplemental plans (the ones which have letter designations)?
I just got my new Advantage Plan books in the mail the other day. I like my plan and will stay with it so just a phone call takes care of that. I do get stuff in the mail about other plans, and from AARP as well, but not a lot.
Yes, reading a plan document for hours, droning on and on, is certainly a way to provide clarity on a plan. not
I think California might be unique in having so many plans available. Now is that a good thing or a bad thing? Maybe there needs to be one document, sent out by a public interest group, that compares the salient features. Kind of like the league of women voters used to do for the elections.
BTW, I predicted what you meant from your title. It is not quite as bad in NC but there is a lot of direct deposit from mailbox to trashcan.
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