The pressure campaign has officially started
If your phone has been ringing more than usual lately, it isn’t your imagination. We’ve entered the last week of Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period, and this is when the pressure ramps up.
Just last week, I got a call from someone who wanted to “send a nurse to my house to discuss my benefits.” She wouldn’t tell me who she worked for. She just repeated that she was a “licensed Medicare specialist contracted with various companies" (she mentioned Humana, Aetna, and others).
That’s exactly the type of pitch flooding seniors right now — and exactly what you don’t need during a time when the rules should be simple:
If you didn’t ask for help, nobody has the right to show up at your door.
Why this week is so aggressive
For insurance agents and brokers, this is the Super Bowl.
Every plan switch means a commission. Every enrollment counts. And when time is running out, the tactics get louder.
You may see:
- More robocalls
- More “urgent” mailers
- More people pretending they’re calling “from Medicare”
- More suggestions that your benefits may change unless you act now
- More offers to send someone to “review your coverage in person”
Most of this noise is designed to create anxiety — not clarity.
The biggest red flag: home visits
WHAT’S NOT ALLOWED
Agents and insurance companies cannot visit your home unless you specifically asked for it and signed a Scope of Appointment ahead of time.
The Pressure Trick
Scammers and aggressive brokers often claim a “nurse” or “licensed specialist” needs to check on your benefits. It’s a tactic to switch your plan or grab your Medicare number.
The Easy Rule
If someone calls you first, it’s not legitimate. Hang up, block, and move on.
What’s allowed — and what’s safe
It’s still perfectly fine to:
- Call your plan directly
- Visit Medicare.gov
- Speak with a SHIIP counselor (free, unbiased, state-run help)
- Talk to an agent you trust — one you contacted
But you get to decide the pace.
No one gets to rush you.
A calmer way to finish Open Enrollment
If you haven’t reviewed your drug plan or Medicare Advantage options yet, you still have until December 7. That’s plenty of time.
A simple checklist for this week:
- Look up your prescriptions on Medicare.gov
- Make sure your doctors are still in-network
- Compare your current premium with next year’s
- Ignore anything that sounds urgent or dramatic
And whatever you do, don’t let the final-week frenzy push you into a decision you don’t understand.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not provide individual insurance or medical advice. Consult Medicare.gov or licensed professionals you trust before making plan changes.
