Medicare Open Enrollment Scams Seniors Often Fall Victim To

Medicare Open Enrollment is from October 15 to December 7 every year, and during this time, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that fake callers, texts, and emails pretending to be from Medicare or insurance plans will try to get your Medicare or bank numbers. Meanwhile, the real Medicare will never call, text, or email you out of the blue to sell a plan, ask for money, check your Medicare number, or charge you for a new card. Medicare sends cards automatically and for free, so any offer that says you have to pay for a card is a scam. The FTC shared this warning in an alert on November 18, 2024. Seniors who are aware that a major change is coming to Medicare in 2026 should see any unexpected calls or messages about it as a warning sign.

Also, watch out for tricks like being told you have to "act now," being offered gift cards or cash just for signing up, or getting calls or texts asking for your Medicare number so you can get a "new Medicare card." AARP, which looks into fraud against older adults, says that scammers use these moves every year. They often add fake giveaways or "limited-time offers" to make you feel rushed or pressured into sharing your personal information. Instead of succumbing to that, turn to trusted information, like Medicare's new out-of-pocket spending cap that will save you money in 2025, and do not click on any links or keep talking to the caller.

Scammers often use fake caller ID during Open Enrollment to make it look like calls are coming from official places, such as Medicare, CMS, or even the HHS Office of Inspector General. They do this to try to "verify your benefits," but the real goal is to get your Medicare number and bank details. On January 26, 2024, the HHS Office of Inspector General warned that scammers have been making calls that look like they come from the official hotline, 1-800-HHS-TIPS, but real staff from the Office of Inspector General do not call you to ask for personal information.

Scammers will often say you can get a free Medicare flex card, free knee or back braces, DNA test kits, or health screenings, but only if you give them your Medicare number. When you do, someone else will get paid under your name. According to AARP in 2024, Original Medicare never hands out flex cards, and only a few private Medicare Advantage plans offer special debit cards for certain medical costs, but you won't ever get these offers through random phone calls or messages. To stop these scams, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services also made new rules in April 2024 that limit how marketers can share your information and crack down on false claims about special benefits, making it harder for scammers to take advantage of people with these fake offers.

To protect yourself from Medicare fraud, keep your Medicare number private and never share it on calls or texts . Only shop for plans through the official Medicare website, Medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048). Check your bills carefully — if you have Original Medicare, you will get a Medicare Summary Notice every four months by mail or online, and if you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, you will get an Explanation of Benefits. If you see any charge you do not recognize, circle it, write down the date, names, and the item billed. Then, call your doctor or plan to verify. If something still seems wrong, report it online or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

If you think there is Medicare fraud, you can contact the HHS Office of Inspector General by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477; TTY 1-800-377-4950) or sending a secure report online. It helps to have your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits with you so you can give exact dates, claim numbers, and provide names. You do not have to handle this by yourself. Every state has a Senior Medicare Patrol that gives free help to prevent, find, and report Medicare fraud. You can find your local team by using the national locator or calling 877-808-2468, and they can guide you through billing questions, right down to why Medicare won't cover inpatient hospital costs forever.