This article is part of the Biblically-Informed Framework for Retirement Stewardship (BIFRS) series. It was originally published on November 19, 2020, and updated in December 2025.
The commercials haven’t changed
When I first wrote this article in 2020, I was venting my frustration about misleading Medicare Advantage commercials. Six years later, I’m writing this update during the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period, and I have to tell you: the commercials are exactly the same. Same tactics. Same misleading language. Same false urgency. Same “FOMO.”
The only things that have changed are the dollar amounts (Part B premiums have increased from $144.60 in 2020 to $202.90 in 2026) and the out-of-pocket maximums (down slightly from $8,150 to $9,250 per person).
Everything else? Identical.
After nearly nine years on Medicare with a Medigap plan, I’m more convinced than ever that while Medicare Advantage plans are excellent for many people, the way they’re marketed borders on predatory—especially toward seniors who don’t understand the complexity of Medicare.
This update includes 2026 costs and some additional perspective from living through six annual enrollment periods, watching these same commercials play on an endless loop.
Like clockwork
Predictably, the Medicare commercials are out in force. I have nothing against advertising, but what I don’t like are potentially misleading Medicare ads. Every time I see them on TV, I complain to my wife, so I thought I’d get it “off my chest” by writing an article about them.
I have to confess that this kind of thing is a pet peeve of mine. I’m not fond of companies that use “misleading” (I am using the term loosely) advertising and other sales tactics to take advantage of people, especially seniors. It happens with all kinds of financial products—investments, annuities, reverse mortgages, life insurance, long-term care insurance, and Medicare Advantage plans.
Although the context is very different, I am reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:16:
Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. (Matthew 10:16, ESV)
You may have noticed that Medicare’s “open enrollment period,” which runs from October 15th to December 7th, is underway. Not coincidentally, those near age 65 or older have probably seen their mailboxes filled with solicitations from insurance carriers for Medicare Advantage plans, not to mention a flurry of TV ads.
Perhaps you have an elderly parent who is navigating the complexities of Medicare. You may be wondering, “Why are there Medicare insurance commercials in the first place—isn’t it provided free of charge by the government?” Well, the answer is yes and no (more on that later). Or, if you’re 65 or older, you may be trying to understand what all this means for you and whether you need to make a change.
FOMO (fear of missing out)
I’ve noticed a consistent theme in these commercials. They target a common fear: FOMO (the “fear of missing out”). We are repeatedly told that there are all kinds of “free” benefits we deserve and would get if only we knew about them, and that the way to find out is to call the 1-800 number that just popped up on the screen. What??!!
I want to say upfront that what is being said, like so many sales pitches, is correct on its face. The problem is the lack of context and what isn’t being said (political ads are another good example of this), not to mention the microscopic size of the small print at the bottom of the screen that appears throughout the commercials.
So, I did some digging. Am I, as a Medicare benefits recipient, eligible for all those “free” benefits? Can I get that goodness at little or no additional cost? How is it that I have been “missing out” on these benefits all along? Well, let’s see…
True but misleading benefit claims
I will list the benefits as they appear in a commercial, then offer further clarification for each statement.
Claim #1: “You may qualify for up to $202.90 added back to your Social Security check every month.”
Later in the commercial, the spokesperson says, “Your zip code may have coverage with the give-back benefit that adds money back to your Social Security check every month.”
One commercial starts with this statement. And yes, this is true, but much in need of further explanation.
The 2026 Reality:
Medicare Part A benefits are free if you qualify for them (40+ quarters of work), but there is a cost for Part B. The $202.90 is the standard monthly cost for Medicare Part B benefits, which will be automatically deducted from your monthly Social Security check in 2026. (A couple will pay $405.80 per month.)
The “rebate” being referenced (sometimes called a “give-back” or “payback”) isn’t something like traditional Medicare that you “qualify” for through the government. It’s something that you may be eligible for IF you purchase a Medicare Part C Advantage Plan AND live in a certain area of the country. The plan provider (insurance company) may offer a rebate for all or part of the monthly Medicare Part B cost.
The commercial fails to mention:
- Not all Advantage plans offer this rebate
- It varies dramatically by plan and county
- Some Advantage plans have their own monthly premiums that offset the Part B rebate
- You’re still paying the government for Part B—the rebate just means the insurance company gives you some of that money back
I’ve watched these commercials for six years now, and the “give-back” language has become more prominent. It sounds like free money, but it’s not. You’re still paying $202.90/month to the government for Part B. The insurance company is just refunding part of that cost—and in exchange, you’re accepting network restrictions, prior authorization requirements, and potential out-of-pocket costs up to $9,250/year.
Claim #2: “You may qualify for a $0 Medicare Advantage Plan that includes additional benefits.”
Again, a “true,” but somewhat incomplete, statement.
The commercial refers to zero-premium plans offered by some providers that include benefits not available with Medicare Part B at no additional cost. But the spokesperson fails to mention that not all plans are zero-premium. Plus, you don’t have to “qualify” for them in the strict sense of the word—it has more to do with whether they are available in your area or not.
Also, if you sign up for one, that doesn’t mean there will be no costs at all. There will be out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, Medicare coinsurance, and copays for most services, and you will have to pay them up to the plan’s out-of-pocket limit.
2026 Out-of-Pocket Maximums:
- Individual: $9,250 (down from $9,350 in 2025)
- For a couple: Potentially $18,500 in a single year if both hit the maximum
To be fair, some commercials will have small print at the bottom of the screen that says something like “additional premiums, coinsurances, or copays may apply,” but you have to look very closely to see them as they are there and gone in a few seconds.
Claim #3: “Included in your plan are free dental (fillings, exams, dentures), hearing aids and batteries, and prescription drug coverage, included in your plan at no additional cost.”
This is one of the more accurate statements in the commercial.
Most Part C Advantage plans offer these benefits, and some may even provide additional coverage for vision care and perks like gym memberships and meal delivery services. But more explanation is also needed here.
What they don’t tell you is that none of these services is covered by Medicare Parts A or B, nor do Medigap (supplemental plans) cover them. However, you can get dental and vision coverage through separate policies, and prescription coverage through a Medicare Part D plan. All of these come at a cost beyond Part B and Medigap plans, but they tend to be fairly reasonable.
The trade-off is that these benefits are bundled in an Advantage plan, but you also get network restrictions, prior authorization requirements, and potential high out-of-pocket costs. With Original Medicare + Medigap, you pay more monthly but have complete provider freedom and predictable costs.
Claim #4: “Free rides to medical appointments, private home care assistance, nursing assistance, and doctor visits by telephone, all at no additional cost.”
Once again, basically correct. “Traditional” Medicare Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (medical) do not cover these services. However, some Medicare supplemental plans do if a doctor prescribes the services.
Medicare Advantage Plans can provide them, but not all plans offer them, and some other essential details are conveniently left out.
What they don’t mention is that, with Advantage Plans, these benefits are typically provided in ways similar to the structure of Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans. Except in emergencies, the benefits are only available through an “in-network” set of selected providers, which can severely limit your choices.
There are also limits on these benefits (frequency, duration, etc.). The in-network requirements may also apply to care that is normally provided under Part B medical services, such as doctor visits. If your preferred doctor isn’t in the network, you’ll either pay significantly more or need to switch doctors.
Claim #5: “Today is one of the only days of this year you can update your coverage and benefits…before the deadline you’re entitled to eliminate premiums and copays and get dental care, dentures, eyeglasses, in-home aides…get prescriptions, unlimited transportation, home delivered meals…all at no additional cost.”
At this point, the spokesperson conveys a sense of urgency and FOMO and once again emphasizes that you can get all the help you need by calling the 800 number on the screen. The number is displayed on a red, white, and blue backdrop that resembles a large Medicare card. This could lead many to believe they will reach a government Medicare assistance center by calling the number. But, as usual, the small print at the bottom of the screen reveals some necessary details, even if it’s not highly visible.
Misleading Element #1: Artificial Urgency
The “today is one of the only days…” statement could be interpreted to mean that there are only a few days a year when you can change your policy. This is not exactly accurate. As stated earlier, the open enrollment period runs two months from mid-October to early December—61 consecutive days, not “one of the only days.”
Misleading Element #2: The 1-800 Number
If you dial the 800 number, you won’t get a government call center or a neutral Medicare counselor. You will be connected to a licensed insurance agent who typically acts as a commissioned broker for Medicare Advantage Plans. They make money when you enroll. This is not disclosed clearly in the commercial.
A better alternative is to call your state’s SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) for free, unbiased Medicare counseling, or use Medicare.gov’s Plan Compare tool to research options yourself.
Wise as serpents, innocent as doves
I want to be clear here. I’m NOT saying that I think Medicare Advantage Plans are bad; in fact, far from it. I think they are great for many people. What I am concerned about is the general “imprecision” of the commercials—and the way they prey on fear and confusion.
If you think I am being nitpicky, I would probably agree. But I think total accuracy and full transparency is paramount in matters such as these, especially when marketing to seniors who may be cognitively vulnerable or financially anxious.
You may also argue that the commercials are not “misleading” in the strictest sense of the word, since they don’t try to get someone to believe and act on something that is absolutely false. That’s fair, but I would say, at the very least, they:
- Convey a false sense of authoritativeness (designed to look like a government agency)
- Lack of completeness and full transparency
- Over-sell and over-simplify certain benefits while not explaining the exceptions and caveats
- Create artificial urgency through FOMO tactics
- Fail to mention critical trade-offs like network restrictions and high potential out-of-pocket costs
What you should do instead
Fortunately, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has some useful tools for comparing plans and the premium information for each. So, this all comes down to doing your homework.
Step 1: Use Official Government Resources
- Medicare.gov Plan Compare – Compare all available plans in your area
- Medicare.gov – Official information on Parts A, B, C, D, and Medigap
- State SHIP Programs – Free, unbiased Medicare counseling available in every state
- Medicare & You Handbook – Annual guide mailed to all Medicare beneficiaries
Step 2: Understand What You’re Comparing
You can check out the details on any Part B rebates, out-of-pocket costs, and other benefits. But if you want more details, such as prior authorization requirements, in-network service providers, and preferred pharmacies, you’ll have to dig into the individual plans’ coverage documentation (often called “Evidence of Coverage”). It should provide details on the plan’s benefits, costs, and the plan’s structure, including authorization rules, limits, networks, and more.
Step 3: Consider the Long-Term Implications
Most importantly, remember that Medicare Part C Advantage plans are NOT provided by the government (although Part C defines the rules that govern them), nor are they non-profits that exist solely to help you save money on your healthcare costs. They are for-profit insurance providers. The purpose of these official-looking and sounding commercials is to get you to do one thing: feel a sense of urgency and FOMO, and then call the number on the screen.
The insurance company makes money from the government for managing your care, and they make more money when you use less care. This creates an inherent conflict of interest that doesn’t exist with Original Medicare + Medigap.
Step 4: Understand the “Trap”
Here’s what the commercials never mention: If you choose Medicare Advantage and later develop a serious health condition, switching to Original Medicare + Medigap becomes extremely difficult or impossible.
Insurance companies can deny Medigap coverage based on pre-existing conditions (except during your one-time six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you first enroll in Part B). If you develop cancer, heart disease, COPD, diabetes, or other serious conditions while on Medicare Advantage, you may be stuck there—or face dramatically higher Medigap premiums if any company will accept you at all.
A stewardship perspective
So, like any informed consumer, do your homework. Make sure you understand the differences between Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D and other available plans, such as Medigap. By all means, get a trusted advisor to help—preferably one who isn’t paid on commission by the insurance companies.
Then, look beyond the commercials to the plan providers themselves so that you can make an informed decision (or help your loved one to do so).
This is what it means to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” in the context of Medicare planning. We’re called to be shrewd—to see through marketing tactics and understand the real trade-offs. But we’re also called to be innocent—to approach these decisions with integrity, not cynicism, and to help others (especially vulnerable seniors) navigate these choices with clarity and truth.
Final thoughts
After six years of watching these commercials, here’s what frustrates me most: They work. They’re designed by marketing experts who understand human psychology, fear, and cognitive biases. Millions of seniors enroll in Medicare Advantage plans every year, primarily based on these commercials, without fully understanding the trade-offs.
Some of those enrollees will be perfectly happy—healthy people with minimal medical needs who save thousands in premiums and never hit their out-of-pocket maximums. But others will develop serious conditions, find their doctors aren’t in-network, struggle with prior authorization denials, hit their out-of-pocket maximums multiple years in a row, and discover too late that they can’t switch back to Medigap.
The commercials don’t show you those people. They show you smiling seniors getting “free” benefits. Be wiser than the commercials assume you are.
Medicare Advantage plans are excellent for many people. But they’re not for everyone, and the decision deserves more careful thought than a 30-second commercial with urgent music and a 1-800 number can provide.
Do your homework. Use the official government resources. Get unbiased counseling. And make a decision based on your actual situation, not on FOMO manufactured by a marketing department.