Where these calls are coming from
You are getting calls about Medicare because your name and phone number entered a system the moment you turned 65 or enrolled in Medicare. Insurance brokers, agents, and marketing companies buy lists of people newly may be able to access for Medicare from data brokers — legally, but without your permission. They call to sell you supplemental insurance, prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans, or other products that earn them a commission.
Some calls come from legitimate insurance companies and their agents. Others come from call centers that work on commission and may be less careful about what they promise. A smaller number are scams designed to steal your personal information or money. The volume is real: people on Medicare report receiving dozens of calls in the first few months after enrollment.
The calls increase around October 15 through December 7 each year — the period when you can change your Medicare coverage for the coming year. This is called the Annual Enrollment Period, and it is when insurance companies spend the most on marketing.
Key Takeaways
- Your name entered marketing lists when you turned 65 or enrolled in Medicare, and brokers legally buy access to these lists to sell you insurance products.
- You can ask callers to remove your number from their list, but the request only applies to that specific company — not to all callers.
- Do not give your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank details to anyone who calls you; legitimate Medicare representatives do not cold-call.
- The National Do Not Call Registry does not stop Medicare insurance marketing calls, because insurance sales are legally exempt from that rule.
- Hanging up and calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE is the safest way to get information about your coverage options.
Why the National Do Not Call Registry does not help
You may have registered your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry, thinking it would stop unwanted calls. It does not stop Medicare insurance calls. Insurance sales are legally exempt from the Do Not Call Registry, which means insurance brokers and agents can call you even if your number is registered.
The same exemption applies to charities, political organizations, and surveys. The registry only blocks calls from telemarketers selling other products and services. This is a federal rule, not something you can change by complaining to the registry.
How to stop calls from a specific company
When a caller identifies themselves and their company, you can ask them to remove your number from their calling list. Say clearly: "Please put me on your do-not-call list." Most legitimate companies will honor this request. Ask them to confirm they have removed your number before you hang up.
Write down the company name, the date, and the time you called. If they call again within 30 days, you have a record to report them. Keep the notes for at least one year.
This request only stops that one company from calling you. It does not stop other insurance brokers, other agents working for the same company, or new companies that buy your number later. You may need to repeat this process many times.
How to recognize and avoid scams
Scammers pretend to be from Medicare, Social Security, or insurance companies. They use urgency ("Your coverage is ending today"), ask for your Social Security number or Medicare number, or claim you have won a benefit you never applied for. Legitimate Medicare representatives never call you first — you always call them.
If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare or Social Security, hang up. Call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE or Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 using the phone number on your official documents. Do not use a number the caller gave you.
Never give your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account number, or credit card number to someone who calls you. Scammers use this information to steal your identity or drain your accounts. If you think you have been scammed, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
What to do if you want information about your Medicare options
Instead of waiting for calls, you can reach out to Medicare directly. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) during business hours to ask about your coverage options, supplemental insurance, or prescription drug plans. The representatives are not selling anything — they work for Medicare and can explain your choices without pressure.
You can also visit Medicare.gov and use the "Find Care Providers" and "Compare Plans" tools to research options on your own time. The website lets you compare costs, coverage, and pharmacies for different plans without talking to anyone.
If you want to speak with an insurance agent, you can request one through Medicare.gov or ask for a referral from your doctor's office. This way you control the conversation instead of being called unexpectedly.
How to reduce the volume of calls
You cannot stop all Medicare insurance calls, but you can reduce them. Each time you get a call, ask to be removed from that company's list. After you have chosen your Medicare plan for the year, you can tell callers that you have already made your selection and ask them not to call back.
Some people find that the calls drop off after the Annual Enrollment Period ends in December. Others continue to receive calls year-round. If calls become harassing — meaning the same company calls repeatedly after you have asked them to stop — you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner or with the Federal Trade Commission.
Do not give out your information hoping to "get on a list" that will stop calls. Giving your details to one company often results in more calls, not fewer, because your information is then resold to other brokers.
What happens if you ignore the calls
Nothing bad happens if you do not answer or return these calls. You will not lose your Medicare coverage. Your benefits will not change. Your enrollment important date are the same whether you talk to a broker or not.
The only important date that matters is the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. If you want to change your plan, you must make changes during this window. If you do nothing, your current plan continues into the next year. You do not have to talk to anyone to keep your existing coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it illegal for them to call me?
No, it is legal for insurance brokers to call people on Medicare. Insurance sales are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry. However, it is illegal for them to call you after you have asked to be removed from their list, and it is illegal to call you repeatedly in a way that counts as harassment. If a company keeps calling after you have asked them to stop, report them to your state's insurance commissioner.
Can I sue them for calling too much?
You can report repeated calls to your state's insurance commissioner or the Federal Trade Commission, but a lawsuit is unlikely to be worth your time. Your best option is to document the calls, ask to be removed, and file a complaint with the state. If the calls are from a scammer, report them to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
What if they say I have to act today or I will lose my coverage?
This is a scam tactic. You cannot lose your Medicare coverage because you did not call back. Your coverage continues automatically unless you choose to change it. Legitimate companies do not use urgency or threats. Hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE if you have questions about your coverage.
Should I give them my Medicare number so they can look up my plan?
No. Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or any personal information to someone who calls you. If you want to discuss your plan with an agent, you call them — they call you. This protects you from scams and from having your information sold to other companies.
Why do they have my phone number?
Your phone number is part of public records and data that brokers legally buy from data companies. Your name also appears in Medicare enrollment records. Insurance companies and brokers purchase access to lists of people who have recently turned 65 or enrolled in Medicare. There is no way to prevent this, but you can ask each company to remove your number.