Privacy Policy

Introduction

William Gray, operating as The Medicare Dude ("we," "us," or "our"), is an independent licensed Medicare insurance broker based in Daytona Beach, Florida (Florida License #W690237). We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information responsibly and transparently.

This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information you provide when you visit www.themedicaredude.com (the "Site") or contact us for Medicare insurance assistance. It also describes your rights regarding your personal information.

This Site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. government, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), or any federal or state agency. By using this Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

Section 508 Accessibility Commitment

We are committed to ensuring this Site is accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794d) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards. We strive to provide an accessible experience for all users, including those who use assistive technologies such as screen readers, magnification software, or alternative input devices.

If you experience any difficulty accessing content on this Site, please contact us at [email protected] or call (386) 871-3858. We will work to provide the information in an accessible format.

CMS Marketing Guidelines Compliance

As a licensed Medicare insurance broker, we operate in compliance with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Marketing Guidelines (Medicare Managed Care Manual, Chapter 3). Specifically:

• We will not use your personal information to enroll you in a Medicare plan without your explicit consent.
• We will not share your personal information with plan sponsors or carriers without your prior written or verbal authorization.
• We will not contact you via unsolicited door-to-door visits or cold calls unless you have provided prior express consent.
• Any marketing materials we provide clearly identify us as an independent insurance broker, not a government agency.
• We retain records of your consent and enrollment-related communications as required by CMS regulations.
• Scope of Appointment (SOA) requirements are followed for all in-person and telephonic appointments.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you submit a contact form, request a quote, or schedule an appointment, we may collect:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• ZIP code and county
• Age or date of birth
• Medicare eligibility status (e.g., turning 65, currently on Medicare)
• Current insurance coverage
• Questions or messages you submit
• Preferred contact method and best time to reach you

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Site, we may automatically collect:

• IP address and general geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Device type and operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on the Site
• Referring website or search query
• Date and time of your visit

This information is collected through standard web server logs and analytics tools. We do not use this data to personally identify you without your consent.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on the Site, remember your preferences, and analyze Site traffic. You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some features of the Site may not function properly without them.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to your inquiries and provide Medicare insurance guidance
• Schedule and conduct appointments to discuss Medicare plan options
• Present Medicare plan options from multiple carriers that may meet your needs
• Process enrollment applications with your explicit consent
• Send follow-up communications related to your Medicare coverage questions
• Comply with CMS marketing and enrollment regulations
• Improve the content and functionality of the Site
• Maintain records as required by state and federal insurance regulations
• Detect and prevent fraud or unauthorized activity

We will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for their own marketing purposes.

How We Share Your Information

We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

With Insurance Carriers (With Your Consent)

If you authorize us to submit a Medicare plan application on your behalf, we will share the necessary information with the applicable insurance carrier(s). We will obtain your explicit consent before sharing your information for enrollment purposes, consistent with CMS requirements.

With Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating the Site or conducting our business (e.g., appointment scheduling platforms, email services, CRM software). These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only for the services they provide to us.

As Required by Law

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, including compliance with state insurance department requirements or CMS audits.

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of business assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. You will be notified of any such change and your rights under this Policy will be maintained.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, comply with legal and regulatory obligations (including CMS record-keeping requirements for Medicare brokers), resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When your information is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymize it.

Your Privacy Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: You may request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correction: You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal and regulatory retention requirements.
• Opt-Out of Marketing: You may opt out of receiving marketing communications from us at any time by contacting us directly or using the unsubscribe link in any email we send.
• Do Not Call: If you wish to be placed on our internal Do Not Call list, please contact us at the information below. We comply with the National Do Not Call Registry and applicable state do-not-call laws.
• Withdraw Consent: Where we rely on your consent to process your information, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of prior processing.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information in the "Contact Us" section below. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encrypted data transmission (HTTPS/TLS), access controls, and secure data storage practices.

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security. In the event of a data breach that affects your rights or freedoms, we will notify you as required by applicable law.

Third-Party Links

This Site may contain links to third-party websites, including Medicare.gov, insurance carrier websites, and appointment scheduling platforms. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

Children's Privacy

This Site is intended for adults who are approaching or currently enrolled in Medicare (generally age 65 and older, or qualifying individuals under 65). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete it.

Florida Residents — Additional Rights

Florida residents may have additional rights under the Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA), Fla. Stat. § 501.171. If you are a Florida resident and believe your personal information has been compromised, please contact us immediately. We will notify affected Florida residents of any security breach involving their personal information within 30 days of discovery, as required by Florida law.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically. Your continued use of the Site after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.