Why shop local?  It is not a good practice to reward illegal telemarketers. Local Licensed Medicare agents want to and have to abide by federal and state regulations about honoring consent to contact. When you answer and even say hello to an auto dialer you are rewarding illegal activity. Can they offer the same Medicare plans that we do. Yes. Are they going to be around 365 days a year and care about your situation.   Absolutely not. It is nice to support local people.