Privacy Policy
The Advocate Group (“The Advocate Group,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit advocategroupmo.com (the “Site”), submit information through any of our forms, or otherwise communicate with us in connection with our Medicare and health insurance advisory services (the “Services”).
Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using the Site or our Services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood it.
Who We Are
The Advocate Group is an independent Medicare and health insurance advisory practice based in Springfield, Missouri. We provide education, guidance, and enrollment assistance for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, individual and family health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, final expense, long-term and short-term care insurance, cancer and critical illness coverage, and related products. We are licensed insurance professionals serving Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Information We Collect
We collect information in three ways: (a) information you provide directly, (b) information we receive from third parties, and (c) information we collect automatically.
a. Information You Provide
b. Information from Third Parties
c. Information Collected Automatically
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
Why We Process Your Information
We process your personal information based on (i) your consent, (ii) the performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps you request, (iii) our legitimate business interests in operating our advisory practice, and (iv) compliance with legal obligations.
How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information for monetary consideration. We share information only as described below:
We never share your protected health information for marketing purposes without your express written authorization.
Communications — Telephone, Text, and Email
By submitting your contact information through any form on the Site or otherwise providing it to us, you consent to be contacted by The Advocate Group, our agents, and any party we have your prior express written consent to share your information with, by telephone (including pre-recorded messages and autodialed calls), text/SMS message, email, and mail at the contact information you provide, regarding Medicare and other insurance products and services. Your consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any text message, clicking unsubscribe in any email, or contacting us using the information in Section 14.
Calls between you and our licensed agents may be recorded and retained as required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other applicable rules. Recordings are stored securely and used for compliance, quality assurance, and training.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our Site uses cookies, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to operate the Site, remember your preferences, analyze traffic, and improve user experience. We may use:
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect Site functionality. For California residents and others with applicable rights, see Section 11.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These safeguards include encrypted transmission of sensitive information, restricted access to personal information, secure storage of paper files, and vendor due diligence. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Services and to comply with our legal, regulatory, and recordkeeping obligations. CMS rules generally require Medicare-related communications and recordings to be retained for at least ten (10) years. After the applicable retention period, we securely destroy or de-identify the information.
Children’s Privacy
Our Services are intended for adults age 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us using the information in Section 14.
Your State Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights under state privacy laws, including (without limitation) the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the CPRA, the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, the Colorado Privacy Act, the Connecticut Data Privacy Act, the Utah Consumer Privacy Act, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, and similar laws.
These rights may include:
To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in Section 14. We will verify your identity before responding. You may use an authorized agent. We do not sell your personal information for money. To the extent we share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, you may opt out by adjusting your cookie preferences or by contacting us.
Information we collect to underwrite, service, or administer insurance is generally regulated by state insurance privacy laws and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and may be exempt from certain consumer-privacy requests; we comply with those laws as well.
Third-Party Links
The Site may contain links to third-party websites, including Medicare.gov, carrier websites, and educational resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing information.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last Updated” date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be communicated through the Site or other reasonable means. Your continued use of the Site or Services after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
The Advocate Group
1650 E. Battlefield, Suite 130
Springfield, MO 65804
Phone: (417) 356-8345
Email: jd@advocategroupmo.com
The Advocate Group is an independent Medicare and health insurance advisory practice based in Springfield, Missouri. We provide education, guidance, and enrollment assistance for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, individual and family health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, final expense, long-term and short-term care insurance, cancer and critical illness coverage, and related products. We are licensed insurance professionals serving Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
Information We Collect
We collect information in three ways: (a) information you provide directly, (b) information we receive from third parties, and (c) information we collect automatically.
a. Information You Provide
- Contact details (first and last name, mailing address, email address, telephone number)
- Demographic information (date of birth, gender, marital status, household composition)
- Medicare and insurance information (Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, Part A/B effective dates, current carrier and plan, Social Security retirement status)
- Health-related information you choose to share (current providers, prescriptions, conditions, anticipated treatments) — collected only to the extent you provide it so we can match you with appropriate coverage
- Financial information relevant to coverage selection (income for premium tax credit eligibility on Marketplace plans; banking information for premium drafts only when you complete an application)
- Beneficiary and dependent information when you apply for life or family-related products
- Communications you send us through forms, email, phone, text, or in person
b. Information from Third Parties
- Lead and referral information from carriers, marketing partners, and existing clients
- Eligibility, plan, and claims-related information from insurance carriers, Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs), and CMS-authorized data sources
- Public records and verification data used to confirm identity and prevent fraud
c. Information Collected Automatically
- Device and browser information (IP address, device type, operating system, browser type, referring URL, timestamps)
- Usage data (pages viewed, links clicked, time spent, navigation paths)
- Cookies, pixels, and similar tracking technologies (see Section 7)
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to your inquiries and schedule consultations
- Educate you about coverage options and recommend plans that fit your needs
- Quote, prepare, submit, and service applications for insurance products
- Communicate with you about your policies, renewals, Annual Election Periods, and plan changes
- Send you information you request, including newsletters and educational content
- With your consent, contact you by phone, text/SMS, or email about products and services
- Verify identity, prevent fraud, and meet anti-fraud and anti-money-laundering obligations
- Operate, maintain, and improve our Site and Services
- Comply with applicable laws, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) marketing and recordkeeping rules, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) where applicable, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and applicable state insurance and privacy laws
Why We Process Your Information
We process your personal information based on (i) your consent, (ii) the performance of a contract or pre-contractual steps you request, (iii) our legitimate business interests in operating our advisory practice, and (iv) compliance with legal obligations.
How We Share Information
We do not sell your personal information for monetary consideration. We share information only as described below:
- Insurance Carriers and Their Affiliates: We share application and underwriting information with the carriers whose products you apply for or enroll in. Their use of your information is governed by their own privacy policies.
- Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs) and Authorized Vendors: We may share information with FMOs, technology vendors (such as quoting tools, e-application platforms, CRM and email service providers, scheduling tools, and call recording services), and other service providers who assist us in delivering the Services, all of whom are required to handle your information confidentially.
- CMS, State Departments of Insurance, and Other Regulators: We share information when required to comply with regulatory audits, oversight, complaints, or recordkeeping obligations, including retention of marketing communications and call recordings as required by 42 C.F.R. § 422.2274 and § 423.2274 and similar rules.
- Legal and Safety Disclosures: We may disclose information when required by law, subpoena, court order, or regulatory request, or when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, sale of assets, or similar transaction, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to confidentiality obligations.
- With Your Consent: Otherwise, we share information only with your consent or at your direction.
We never share your protected health information for marketing purposes without your express written authorization.
Communications — Telephone, Text, and Email
By submitting your contact information through any form on the Site or otherwise providing it to us, you consent to be contacted by The Advocate Group, our agents, and any party we have your prior express written consent to share your information with, by telephone (including pre-recorded messages and autodialed calls), text/SMS message, email, and mail at the contact information you provide, regarding Medicare and other insurance products and services. Your consent is not a condition of purchase. Message and data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any text message, clicking unsubscribe in any email, or contacting us using the information in Section 14.
Calls between you and our licensed agents may be recorded and retained as required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and other applicable rules. Recordings are stored securely and used for compliance, quality assurance, and training.
Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our Site uses cookies, pixels, and similar tracking technologies to operate the Site, remember your preferences, analyze traffic, and improve user experience. We may use:
- Strictly necessary cookies that enable core Site functions
- Analytics cookies (such as Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use the Site
- Marketing/retargeting cookies (such as Meta Pixel or similar) when active
You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect Site functionality. For California residents and others with applicable rights, see Section 11.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. These safeguards include encrypted transmission of sensitive information, restricted access to personal information, secure storage of paper files, and vendor due diligence. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Services and to comply with our legal, regulatory, and recordkeeping obligations. CMS rules generally require Medicare-related communications and recordings to be retained for at least ten (10) years. After the applicable retention period, we securely destroy or de-identify the information.
Children’s Privacy
Our Services are intended for adults age 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us using the information in Section 14.
Your State Privacy Rights
Depending on where you live, you may have rights under state privacy laws, including (without limitation) the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as amended by the CPRA, the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act, the Colorado Privacy Act, the Connecticut Data Privacy Act, the Utah Consumer Privacy Act, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, and similar laws.
These rights may include:
- The right to know what personal information we collect, use, and disclose
- The right to access a copy of your personal information
- The right to correct inaccurate personal information
- The right to delete personal information, subject to legal exceptions (including insurance recordkeeping)
- The right to opt out of “sale” or “sharing” of personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising
- The right to limit the use of “sensitive personal information”
- The right to non-discrimination for exercising these rights
- The right to appeal a denial of your request
To exercise these rights, contact us using the information in Section 14. We will verify your identity before responding. You may use an authorized agent. We do not sell your personal information for money. To the extent we share personal information for cross-context behavioral advertising, you may opt out by adjusting your cookie preferences or by contacting us.
Information we collect to underwrite, service, or administer insurance is generally regulated by state insurance privacy laws and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and may be exempt from certain consumer-privacy requests; we comply with those laws as well.
Third-Party Links
The Site may contain links to third-party websites, including Medicare.gov, carrier websites, and educational resources. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing information.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last Updated” date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be communicated through the Site or other reasonable means. Your continued use of the Site or Services after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
The Advocate Group
1650 E. Battlefield, Suite 130
Springfield, MO 65804
Phone: (417) 356-8345
Email: jd@advocategroupmo.com
