Mid-October into December is an open-enrollment period for the Medicare Advantage plan. That’s an HMO type of health coverage - different from traditional Medicare. The California Department of Managed Health Care warns that swindlers see this as a time of opportunity. Director Brent Barnhart said some insurance agents use high pressure sales tactics to get senior citizens to add a plan they might not need - or change their plan - without all the facts.
“If an unethical agent who’s aiming only for a commission doesn’t tell someone how what the differences are between what they have and what they’ll be getting they can well be put in the situation for example that they can no longer see the same doctor,” said Barnhart.
Barnhart also said Californians should be wary of high pressure sales tactics when considering changes in Medicare service.
