Every year during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), Medicare beneficiaries are bombarded with telemarketing calls. Some are legitimate outreach from agents or plan carriers, but many are illegal solicitations or Medicare scams that confuse and frustrate your clients.
As an insurance agent, you can play a crucial role in helping your clients reduce unwanted Medicare calls and protect themselves from scams—all while reinforcing your value as a trusted advisor. One of the most effective ways to do this is by guiding them through registering on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry.
Here’s a step-by-step strategy you can follow and share with clients this AEP.
1. Educate Clients About the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry
Start by explaining what the National Do Not Call Registry is and how it works. Many clients—especially older beneficiaries—either don’t know it exists or assume it’s complicated. By breaking it down clearly, you build trust and make the process approachable.
Key talking points for clients:
- The DNC Registry is free and easy to use.
- Registering their phone number limits unsolicited telemarketing calls.
- Once registered, their number stays on the list permanently—no renewals needed.
- Telemarketers have 31 days to stop calling after registration.
Website: www.DoNotCall.gov
Phone Registration: Call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number they want to register.
Encourage clients to use both methods if they’re more comfortable speaking on the phone than using a computer.
2. Clarify What Calls Are Allowed vs. What’s Not
- Calls from their current Medicare plan provider regarding benefits or information.
- Calls from a licensed insurance agent if the client has permitted to contact (e.g., via a Permission to Contact form).
Not allowed:
- Telemarketing calls before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
- Calls to numbers on the DNC registry without prior permission.
- Spoofed or randomized numbers.
- Unsolicited calls from agents who have not received permission to contact.
3. Walk Clients Through the DNC Registration Process
- Offer to walk them through the DoNotCall.gov website on their device or yours.
- Provide them with the registration number (1-888-382-1222) and have them call on speaker if they prefer phone registration.
- Encourage clients to check their email for the confirmation link after registering online.
4. Teach Clients How to Report Violations
If clients continue to receive illegal calls after their number is on the DNC list, show them how to file a complaint with the FCC. This step empowers them and helps hold bad actors accountable.
Consumer Complaints Website: www.consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
Explain that while this won’t stop every scammer overnight, reporting violations contributes to enforcement efforts and discourages persistent offenders.
5. Position Yourself as Their Trusted Medicare Resource
- Add DNC education to your AEP appointment checklist.
- Create a quick email template or handout to send to clients after appointments.
- Host a short webinar or Facebook Live on “How to Stop Medicare Scam Calls” for your client base.
- Use DNC registration as a value-add topic in annual reviews.
Final Thoughts: AEP Is the Perfect Time to Step Up
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