Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

alwaysinasnit

(5,037 posts)
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 10:00 PM Sep 2022

Celebrity Medicare Sales Pitches Are Toned Down After Scrutiny

https://www.wsj.com/articles/celebrity-medicare-sales-pitches-are-toned-down-after-scrutiny-11661940999?st=2q0c9no5cgthayb&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

If it’s football season, you can count on seeing Joe Namath on television, along with William Shatner and Jimmie “J J” Walker. They are the most prominent pitchmen for what has become an annual fall selling frenzy for Medicare Advantage policies.

After a surge in consumer complaints, and stiffer government rules, the sales pitches will likely be tamer this year. If there is confusion, “we’ll change things so it satisfies everybody and eliminates the confusion,” said Mr. Shatner, best known for his role as Captain Kirk in the “Star Trek” franchise

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services toughened its oversight after consumer marketing complaints surged 165% last year to 41,136 compared with 2020. Brokerages, agents and other marketing businesses tried to convince Medicare recipients to switch plans, with promises of perks in their new plans such as home-delivered meals, rides to doctors’ appointments and cash.

In some cases, beneficiaries would effectively pay for the perks with more-limited provider networks, forcing them to find new doctors, regulators say. The celebrity pitchmen haven’t been accused of violating any rules.

snip...
20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Celebrity Medicare Sales Pitches Are Toned Down After Scrutiny (Original Post) alwaysinasnit Sep 2022 OP
I watch a lot of MeTV. It is aimed at geezers like me rsdsharp Sep 2022 #1
reliving my childhood? rampartc Sep 2022 #6
No, I mostly watch old westerns. And the Waltons. rsdsharp Sep 2022 #14
perry mason #1 rampartc Sep 2022 #15
I don't watch lawyer shows. They drive me nuts because so much of the stuff they do rsdsharp Sep 2022 #20
These ads are brought to us by health insurance companies Deuxcents Sep 2022 #2
Same feeling about those veteran assistance and suicide prevention non-stop ads. czarjak Sep 2022 #7
They keep calling it Medicare Part C. VERY misleading. Liberal In Texas Sep 2022 #3
+1000 alwaysinasnit Sep 2022 #4
⇧⇧⇧***THIS***⇧⇧⇧ spanone Sep 2022 #8
This was a mistake for Clinton SCantiGOP Sep 2022 #10
OT but it seems Camp Lejeune 's toxic water has replaced mesothelioma commercials GreatCaesarsGhost Sep 2022 #5
can you imagine how many thousands of young men were stationed at camp lejeune rampartc Sep 2022 #16
I think Joe Namath has more tv exposure time in the ads than as a football star. keithbvadu2 Sep 2022 #9
I gave up trying to warn people about Advantage. Samrob Sep 2022 #11
You're just trying to take my zip code! Hermit-The-Prog Sep 2022 #12
I thought all that crap would stop when the sign up period was over Bayard Sep 2022 #13
throw things? rampartc Sep 2022 #17
There is no "sign up period" for advantage MiniMe Sep 2022 #18
Get all the benefits you deserve. KentuckyWoman Sep 2022 #19

rsdsharp

(9,038 posts)
1. I watch a lot of MeTV. It is aimed at geezers like me
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 10:09 PM
Sep 2022

reliving their childhoods through reruns from the 1950-70s. Those PI Medicare Advantage ads are year round. I wish it was just during fall, but it’s not.

rsdsharp

(9,038 posts)
14. No, I mostly watch old westerns. And the Waltons.
Mon Sep 12, 2022, 12:13 AM
Sep 2022

Grandma and Mary Ellen are always. . . how shall I put this? Cranky!

rampartc

(5,264 posts)
15. perry mason #1
Mon Sep 12, 2022, 12:26 AM
Sep 2022

the westerns that are too old for even me are on "grit" in the afternoon. wyatt earp, wells fargo, the deputy. good stuff.

rsdsharp

(9,038 posts)
20. I don't watch lawyer shows. They drive me nuts because so much of the stuff they do
Mon Sep 12, 2022, 01:02 PM
Sep 2022

in the courtroom would get you suspended, if not disbarred.

Deuxcents

(15,777 posts)
2. These ads are brought to us by health insurance companies
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 10:30 PM
Sep 2022

No way Medicare could pay for all that advertising. It’s possibly confusing to those who don’t understand Medicare. Thom Hartmann Reports is a great place to learn about the Advantage grift . He’s even posted here before n I understand he’s a DUer..which makes me happy

Liberal In Texas

(13,453 posts)
3. They keep calling it Medicare Part C. VERY misleading.
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 10:34 PM
Sep 2022

Advantage shouldn't even be allowed to use the word Medicare.

SCantiGOP

(13,856 posts)
10. This was a mistake for Clinton
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 11:45 PM
Sep 2022

He gave it to the GOP to get his budget priorities, and as I recall the Dems thought it was a good win at the time.
We need to scale it back if we have control after 2022.

rampartc

(5,264 posts)
16. can you imagine how many thousands of young men were stationed at camp lejeune
Mon Sep 12, 2022, 12:33 AM
Sep 2022

between 1953 and 1987? many families as well.

i'm in that number, but instead of enriching a lawyer what i really want is for the va to consider my cancer to be "service connected."

Samrob

(4,298 posts)
11. I gave up trying to warn people about Advantage.
Sun Sep 11, 2022, 11:54 PM
Sep 2022

You just can't reason with people who will not listen to facts.

Bayard

(21,805 posts)
13. I thought all that crap would stop when the sign up period was over
Mon Sep 12, 2022, 12:13 AM
Sep 2022

I hate being forced to throw things at the TV.

MiniMe

(21,676 posts)
18. There is no "sign up period" for advantage
Mon Sep 12, 2022, 12:58 AM
Sep 2022

The commercials never stopped. You used to just get Medicare commercials Oct - Dec, and then the commercials would stop. Now they go on and on with no stop. If they are spending that much money on celebrity spokespeople, how do they have any money left to pay your bills?

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Celebrity Medicare Sales ...