Health insurance telemarketing rules 2025 are highlighted in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) press release of September 18 2025, announcing that Citizens Disability LLC will pay $1 million to settle allegations that it made tens of millions of illegal and misleading telemarketing calls to U.S. consumers seeking disability or health-insurance information.
The FTC alleged violations of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), including calls to Do Not Call Registry numbers and misleading scripts used to route consumers to health-insurance marketers.
Quick Answer: Health insurance telemarketing rules 2025 require honoring the Do Not Call Registry, obtaining prior express consent for robocalls, avoiding deceptive claims, and maintaining lead-vendor oversight; violations can result in injunctions and civil penalties.
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Background / Context
According to the FTC press release, Citizens Disability and its partners allegedly autodialed millions of consumers nationwide, including people whose numbers were listed on the Do Not Call Registry.
The federal complaint states that the company’s scripts misrepresented the reason for the calls and that websites offering prizes or coupons were used to capture consumers’ data for telemarketing purposes.
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Federal Regulations / National Findings — Health insurance telemarketing rules 2025
The FTC enforces the Telemarketing Sales Rule (16 CFR Part 310), which governs health-insurance lead-generation calls.
Key points from the FTC action:
- Honor the Do Not Call Registry — scrub call lists regularly.
- Prior express written consent required for prerecorded or autodialed sales calls.
- No deceptive statements about plan benefits or caller affiliation.
- Civil penalties & injunctions: the order includes a $1 million payment within a suspended $2 million penalty framework.
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State-Level Variations
The FTC release does not list any state-specific telemarketing rules or fees.
| State requirement | Status in official source |
|---|---|
| Extra calling-hour limits | Information not published in the official source as of Sept 18 2025 |
| State Do Not Call fees | Information not published in the official source as of Sept 18 2025 |
| Private right of action | Information not published in the official source as of Sept 18 2025 |
Impact on Policyholders / Consumers / SMBs
For consumers, the case signals that unwanted health-insurance calls can be unlawful and that enforcement may bring restitution or injunctions.
For brokers and small agencies, the FTC made clear that outsourcing lead-generation does not remove TSR liability — firms must vet vendors, obtain proper consent, and monitor scripts.
FAQ
What calls violate the TSR and DNC rules for insurance lead-gen?
Any sales or lead-generation calls that ignore Do Not Call registrations, use un-consented robocalls, or misrepresent services or affiliations violate the TSR, as described in the FTC’s Sept 18 2025 release.
How can consumers stop unwanted Medicare / health-insurance calls?
The FTC reminds consumers to list or confirm their number on the Do Not Call Registry and to file complaints directly with the Commission if illegal calls persist.
What should agencies / brokers know about compliant lead sourcing?
They remain liable for vendors’ unlawful calls. Agencies must scrub call lists, collect express consent, and keep call-record documentation to prove compliance with health insurance telemarketing rules 2025.
How to report scams and seek redress?
The FTC’s release outlines the enforcement order but does not provide a consumer claims process in the source document as of Sept 18 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Health insurance telemarketing rules 2025 demand compliance with the Do Not Call Registry, truthful scripts, and oversight of lead vendors.
- Deceptive scripts and robocalls can lead to FTC actions and million-dollar penalties.
- Outsourcing telemarketing does not shield brokers from TSR liability.
Conclusion
Health insurance telemarketing rules 2025, as enforced in the FTC v. Citizens Disability case, highlight strict federal oversight of health-insurance outreach — focusing on consent, DNC compliance, and truthful representations.
Consumers should remain alert to unwanted calls, and brokers must ensure vendor contracts, call practices, and record-keeping align with TSR requirements to avoid sanctions similar to the $1 million settlement announced by the FTC.
Regulatory Disclaimers
- This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
- Rules and enforcement may change; always check the FTC or state DOI for current requirements.
- Insurance Zenith is independent and does not endorse or recommend any insurer or product.