As we approach the Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7, 2024), scammers will be ramping up their efforts to target Medicare beneficiaries. Therefore, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and protect your personal information from fraudsters.
Here are some common scams to be aware of:
- Medicare Chip Card Scam – Scammers may claim you need a new Medicare card with a chip and ask for your personal information to issue it. Medicare does not issue chip cards, so never share your details.
- Rebates and Refund Scams – Fraudsters offer enticing rebates or refunds and ask for your personal information to process these supposed benefits. Medicare does not provide such rebates or refunds.
- Cheap Plan Scams – Be wary of promises of more affordable insurance plans. Scammers use these offers to trick you into sharing your Medicare details. Always verify the legitimacy of any plan directly with Medicare.
- Free Medical Supplies Scams – Offers of free medical supplies can be appealing, but scammers use this tactic to gather your Medicare information. Only deal with known and trusted suppliers.
- Genetic Testing Kit Scams – Free genetic testing kits sound beneficial, but this is another scheme to collect your Medicare details. Medicare only covers genetic testing in limited situations and only when ordered by the beneficiary’s physician.
Remember, Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home. If you do receive any suspicious calls or offers, do not share your personal information. You can report possible fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or online.
Medicare open enrollment is an important time for many of you, and we want to remind you that we’re here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions–we’d be happy to help you walk through any questions or concerns you may have. Take care, and stay safe this enrollment season.