HOW TO AVOID FRAUD

Medicare open enrollment season often draws out scammers and predatory sales tactics. Here’s what you should know.

Insurance agents can:

■ Distribute information and forms in a retail setting, at health fairs and promotional events.

■ Travel to meet Medicare beneficiaries in their home if they have been invited.

■ Provide information about public assistance programs and help individuals apply for government subsidies.

Insurance agents cannot:

■ Send unsolicited emails or solicit door to door.

■ Collect names, addresses and enrollment applications or do sales pitches at a health fair or promotional event.

■ Sell products that are not health-related at a Medicare Advantage or drug plan sales or marketing presentation.

■ Provide meals at promotional and sales events.

■ Sell products in health care settings (doctors’ offices, pharmacies, etc.).

Do not be persuaded by an agent who tries to scare you into believing your Medicare rates are going to increase if you do not switch plans immediately. If you believe you have been the victim of a deceptive sales practice, contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at 1-800-686-1527.