Where These Calls Come From

The phone calls about Medicare usually come from one of three sources: companies selling Medicare Advantage or Medigap insurance plans, scammers pretending to represent Medicare, and legitimate government or health plan outreach. The first group — insurance brokers and agents — legally buys lists of people who are turning 65 or who recently enrolled in Original Medicare. They call because they earn a commission when you switch to their plan.

The second group is criminals. They call claiming to be from Medicare, Social Security, or your health plan, and they ask for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank details. Medicare itself will not call you unsolicited. If someone calls saying they are from Medicare and you did not contact them first, hang up.

The third source is real: your actual health plan, your doctor's office, or a local aging agency may call with information about your coverage, preventive care, or programs you may be able to use. These calls are usually brief and do not ask for sensitive information over the phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Insurance agents buy contact lists and call people newly may be able to access for Medicare because they earn commission on plan sales.
  • Scammers impersonate Medicare or Social Security; Medicare itself does not call you without your request.
  • Legitimate calls from your health plan or doctor are usually short and do not ask for passwords or full Social Security numbers.
  • You can reduce unwanted sales calls by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry and asking agents directly to stop calling.
  • If a caller asks for sensitive information, hang up and call the organization directly using the number on your insurance card or official mail.

How Insurance Agents Get Your Number

When you turn 65 or enroll in Medicare, your information enters systems that insurance brokers can legally access. Medicare does not sell your name, but insurance companies and brokers buy lists from data brokers — companies that compile information from public records, voter registration, and other sources. Once you are on these lists, agents from different insurance companies will call to pitch their plans.

The calls often increase around October 15 through December 7, which is the Annual Enrollment Period when you can change plans. During this window, insurance companies spend heavily on outreach because this is when people actually switch. If you enrolled in Medicare recently, you may see a spike in calls for several weeks afterward.

Spotting a Scam Call

A scam caller will ask you to confirm or provide your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account details, or credit card information. They may claim your Medicare coverage is about to be canceled, that you are owed a refund, or that you need to "verify" your information. They may sound official and may even have your real name and partial information, which they bought from a data broker.

Real Medicare representatives do not call unsolicited, do not ask for your full Social Security number or banking details over the phone, and do not threaten to cancel your coverage. If you are unsure whether a call is real, hang up and call the organization back using the phone number on your insurance card, your Medicare statement, or the official website. Never call a number the caller gives you.

Report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. You can also report Medicare fraud directly to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

How to Reduce Unwanted Sales Calls

Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. This stops most telemarketing calls, though it does not stop calls from nonprofits, charities, political organizations, or companies you have done business with in the past 18 months. Insurance agents may still call if they have a legitimate business relationship with you — for example, if you recently turned 65 and they obtained your number through a broker list.

If an insurance agent calls and you do not want to hear from them again, tell them directly: "Please put me on your do-not-call list." Ask for their company name and agent name, and ask them to confirm they will not call again. Some agents will honor this; others will not. If the same agent or company calls back after you have asked them to stop, you can file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner.

You can also reduce calls by being selective about where you give your phone number. When you enroll in Medicare online or by phone, you provide contact information to Medicare. Keep your phone number private when filling out forms at the doctor's office or signing up for programs unless the form explains how it will be used.

Legitimate Calls You May Receive

Your health plan may call to remind you about preventive care visits, to ask how you are doing after a hospital stay, or to tell you about programs that might help you — for example, a diabetes management program or help paying for prescriptions. These calls are usually brief. The caller will identify themselves and their organization, and they will not ask for sensitive information.

Your doctor's office may call to confirm an appointment or to follow up after a visit. Your local Area Agency on Aging may call if you have contacted them about services. These calls are expected and do not ask you to verify information you have already given them.

If you receive a call you are not sure about, it is always safe to say, "I did not call you. Please send me information by mail," and then hang up. You can then review the mail and call the organization back using a number you find yourself.

What to Do If Calls Continue

Keep a record of unwanted calls: write down the date, time, company name (if given), and what they said. After you have asked an agent to stop calling and they continue, file a complaint with your state's insurance commissioner. You can find your state commissioner's office through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners at naic.org.

If you believe you are being scammed or harassed, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report to your state's attorney general office, which has a consumer protection division. These complaints help authorities track patterns and take action against repeat offenders.

Consider using a call-blocking app or service if calls become overwhelming. Many phones have built-in call screening. You can also ask your phone provider whether they offer a call-blocking service — most do, either free or for a small monthly fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tell Medicare to stop selling my information to insurance companies?

Medicare does not sell your information. Insurance brokers buy lists from data brokers that compile information from public sources. You cannot stop this entirely, but you can reduce calls by registering with the National Do Not Call Registry and asking agents directly to stop calling you.

Is it safe to talk to insurance agents who call?

It is safe to listen to a legitimate insurance agent, but do not give them sensitive information like your full Social Security number or banking details over the phone. If you are interested in their plan, ask them to send information by mail or visit their website. You can always call them back later using a number you find yourself.

What should I do if someone calls claiming to be from Medicare?

Hang up. Medicare does not call unsolicited. If you need to contact Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself, or visit Medicare.gov. If the call seemed like a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Do I have to answer calls during the Annual Enrollment Period?

No. You do not have to answer any call. If you do not want to hear from insurance agents, let calls go to voicemail, register with the Do Not Call Registry, and ask agents who do reach you to stop calling. You can research and change plans on your own at Medicare.gov during the enrollment window.

Will blocking all unknown numbers stop the Medicare calls?

Blocking unknown numbers will stop most unsolicited calls, but you may miss legitimate calls from your doctor, health plan, or pharmacy. A better approach is to use call screening (available on most phones) to see who is calling before you answer, and to register with the Do Not Call Registry for longer-term reduction.