| From October 15 to December 7 each year, Medicare’s open enrollment period allows beneficiaries to evaluate their healthcare coverage and make changes for the upcoming year. Unfortunately, this also means a spike in Medicare scams, as criminals exploit the heightened public attention and target beneficiaries who may feel overwhelmed with their healthcare choices. If you or a loved one are on Medicare, here are some tips to help you avoid scams during this open enrollment season. |
| How It Works• You receive a call, text, email, or an in-person visit from someone posing as a “Medicare” agent or insurance provider.•You may be urged to act quickly to avoid losing your benefits, pressured to purchase a limited-time offer that promises to save you thousands of dollars or enticed with a free gift.•Or you could be told that Medicare is issuing new cards and needs to verify your information.•They may request sensitive information, such as your Medicare and Social Security numbers or bank and credit card information. What You Should Know• Criminals often use caller ID spoofing to make a call appear as coming from Medicare or a trusted source.•The scammers may sound professional, claim to represent Medicare, and have some of your personal information. But in reality, they’re trying to steal your money, Medicare information, or your identity.•Legitimate government agencies won’t contact you to ask for your Medicare number or other personal information unless you’ve called 1-800-MEDICARE first.•Medicare is not sending out new cards; anyone suggesting otherwise is lying to you. What You Should Do• Protect your information and never share your Medicare or Social Security number (or other personal information) with anyone who contacts you out of the blue by phone, text, email or shows up at your door.•Be suspicious of unsolicited, aggressive, misleading or too-good-to-be-true offers for a new Medicare plan, and don’t be rushed into making a decision. You have until December 7 to enroll, and Medicare doesn’t offer extra benefits for signing up early. •Beneficiaries can safely compare plans and change enrollment by going to medicare.gov or calling 800-633-4227.•Each state also has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that offers unbiased, one-on-one counseling to help you navigate the complexities of Medicare.•Contact the Senior Medicare Patrol in your area to report Medicare fraud or abuse and to seek assistance. |