Message from Executive Office of Elder Affairs re: Medicare Postcards

Council on Aging Director Barbara Place has passed along the following message, received from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs:

Advisory Notice to COA Directors/Staff/Seniors:

Please know that several consumers received postcards like this (see attached) in the mail and are tempted to respond when they are cautioned about a penalty.

Medicare (CMS) staff researched this particular company and it is not contracted with Medicare, so they (CMS) cannot currently prevent them from sending out marketing materials.

CMS recommends that people do not complete and return this postcard, but instead call a SHINE counselor to discuss Medicare and their unbiased, comprehensive health insurance options.

For more information, please contact the Freetown Council on Aging at 508-763-9557.  Thank you.