What Medicare agents and plans can and can't do
The rules that protect you from pressure selling.
Medicare sets rules for how Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and the agents and marketing companies working for them, can contact you and sell to you. Knowing them makes it easier to spot someone who isn't playing by them.
What they can't do
- Come to your home uninvited to sell or enroll you.
- Call you unless you're already a member or you gave permission.
- Offer gifts beyond a small nominal value, or cash, to get you to join.
- Enroll you at an educational event, or ask for your personal information there.
- Pressure you, or claim they're endorsed by or calling from Medicare.
- Sell you a Medigap policy while you're in Medicare Advantage (unless you're switching back).
What they must do
- Before a sales appointment, record which types of plans you've agreed to discuss (a Scope of Appointment), and stick to them.
- If they're a third-party marketing organization (an agency, broker or lead generator selling for several plans), tell you they don't offer every plan in your area, how many organizations and products they represent, and that Medicare.gov and 1-800-MEDICARE can give information on all your options.
- Get your written consent before passing your personal information to another marketing company.
Recent changes
Rules for 2027 coverage, which took effect June 1, 2026, dropped the old requirement to wait 48 hours between signing a Scope of Appointment and meeting to discuss plans, and allow sales meetings to follow educational events directly. The protections above still apply.
If someone breaks the rules
Report it to 1-800-MEDICARE. If you were misled into joining a plan, you may be able to switch, and you may have a guaranteed right to buy Medigap.
Common questions
Only if you're already their plan's member or you gave permission, for example by asking to be contacted.
Medicare rules require your prior written consent before a marketing company shares your information with another marketing company.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Medicare plan marketing rules, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
- CY 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D final rule (91 FR 17384), Federal Register. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Contract Year 2027 Medicare Advantage and Part D final rule (fact sheet), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.