Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, scammers and aggressive insurance agents may try to pressure you into making a quick decision. The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol wants you to know what to watch for.
Be careful if someone:
Asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank information before you have decided to enroll in a plan. This information could be used to sign you up for a plan without your permission.
Says they are calling from Medicare. Insurance companies can’t make their materials look like they are from Medicare or another government agency. They also can’t use the Medicare name or logo to make their marketing look official.
Sends you unexpected texts or calls you without permission. Be cautious about unsolicited Medicare marketing calls and messages.
Pressures you to act fast by saying an offer is available for a limited time. You do not have to make a decision right away, open enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7. You will not lose your Medicare coverage because you haven’t picked a plan.
Offers you a free gift for enrolling. Gifts must be offered to everyone, whether or not they enroll, and can’t be worth more than $15.
Remember:
You don’t have to make a decision on the spot. Take your time, ask questions, and make sure you understand your choices before sharing personal information or enrolling in a plan.
If something does not seem right, stop and check before you act.
The Missouri SMP is here to provide you with information you need to protect, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. If you think you or a loved one has been a target of a Medicare scam, call the Missouri SMP at 888-515-6565.
This project was supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $638,014 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government