On December 7th, open enrollment ends for 2025. That’s good news and bad news.
The good news is that you still have time (but not much) t0 select the Medicare plan that’s best for you in 2025. The bad news: you’re still vulnerable to a host of fraudsters out there who use Medicare’s annual open enrollment period as an opportunity to rob you of your personal data through cleverly-designed and highly persuasive open enrollment scams.
In these waning days of open enrollment, we offer this recent article written by Kiplinger reporter Donna LeValley. She warns all of us to beware of scammers who are lurking on the other end of persuasive phone calls and emails targeted specifically and ruthlessly at seniors exploring their medical coverage options. LeValley’s point seems clear: the confusion and time urgency surrounding open enrollment make even the wisest among us vulnerable to fraud.
Let’s look at her article and especially at the tips she offers. It’s good advice.
Open Enrollment is “Like Candy” for Fraud Artists
In an ominous opening, LeValley warns us: “The Medicare open enrollment period is like candy for scammers, with all the elements for a good con.”
This, she says, is because seniors face a time crunch. Also, they must provide vital personal information to Medicare, and scammers gather up this information to access victims’ financial accounts, or submit fraudulent medical claims in a victim’s name.
“Scammers also know that older adults are ideal victims because they are more likely to answer the phone, be socially isolated, have significant savings or have cognitive deficits,” LeValley writes. “In fact, as some experts might claim, if you or a loved one fell for a financial scam, it may be time to get tested for dementia.”
Massive Data Breach Reveals Vulnerability of Personal Data
While there are plenty of safeguards in place to protect personal data, they are not infallible. LeValley reminds us of last year’s massive data breach in which “the personal information of more than 900,000 Medicare beneficiaries was exposed […] The information was stolen from a Medicare contractor, Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation, a business that processes Medicare claims.”
In the wake of breaches like this, the federal government has taken steps to increase protections around personal information. “In 2018, Medicare updated Medicare cards and replaced Social Security numbers with the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier, which includes numbers and letters,” LeValley writes. “In September, the Social Security Administration transitioned all users who had made their accounts before September 18, 2021, to the more secure Login.gov platform.”
To protect yourself and loved ones this open enrollment season, here are the most common scams to keep an eye out for.
Open Enrollment Scam #1: Medicare Card Replacement
If someone calls and tells you that you need a new Medicare card—no matter what official office they claim to be calling from—think twice. Better yet, hang up. The call is certainly bogus.
“This scam has been circulating since 2018,” LeValley writes, “when Medicare sent beneficiaries new cards with randomly generated ID numbers to better protect against identity theft.”
A scammer might ask you to confirm your card number to “activate” your card, or they may say you need a new one altogether. LeValley advises that if you ever do need a new card, you can print a copy from your Medicare.gov account or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227 TTY 1-877-486-2048) to order a replacement card to be sent in the mail.
Open Enrollment Scam #2: Phony Medicare Advisors
If something seems too good to be true, it pretty much always is. And if someone calls or visits you and offers free services as long as you hand over your Medicare information, they are scamming you.
“There are no ‘official’ Medicare sales representatives and Medicare does not cold call to enroll beneficiaries or offer you a different plan,” LeValley warns. “Watch out for people who promise you a gift for enrolling in one of their plans — it’s a ploy to get your personal information, such as your Medicare ID and Social Security number.”
Open Enrollment Scam #3: Supplemental Coverage Promises
Be wary of promises about cheaper supplemental plans, like reduced-cost Medigap and drug coverage. Premiums for these plans are clearly published on Medicare’s website.
“Medigap and Part D prescription drug coverage are considered supplemental coverage and are often recommended for beneficiaries enrolled in Original Medicare,” LeValley explains. “Supplementary plans typically have a monthly premium, which is the opening scammers use to lure you in. They pretend to offer cheaper Medigap plans or drug coverage to get your information.” Never choose coverage based solely on a low-ball premium.
Follow These Tips to Avoid Becoming a Scam Victim
LeValley offers the following tips to avoid scams and stay safe.
Keep your government-issued ID numbers private. “Never share your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, or banking information to anyone you don’t know,” she writes.
Ignore emails and texts; go directly to official websites. LeValley explains, “If you want to make changes to your healthcare plan, go directly to Medicare.gov or SSA.gov./Medicare. Don’t click on links in suspicious messages.”
Medicare won’t call you first. If someone pretends otherwise, be suspicious. “Medicare provides resources to help you determine which plan is right for you,” LeValley writes. “You can get free health insurance counseling from State Health Insurance Assistance Programs which aren’t connected to any insurance companies or health plans. You will also need to contact them on your own. They will not call you first.” (In Washington State, the free counseling program is called SHIBA – Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors.)
Your caller ID can be misleading. Even if your caller ID shows Medicare’s name or phone number, this information could have been hacked and faked by scammers. “It could be anyone calling from anywhere in the world,” LeValley warns. “If you think a call might be real, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to check. An official Medicare representative won’t pressure you to do anything.”
Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home. LeValley tells us that Medicare—or a representative of Medicare—will only call you on the phone in limited situations, and we’ve included her list verbatim:
*A Medicare health or drug plan may call you if you’re already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you.
*A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if you’ve called and left a message or a representative said that someone would call you back.
*If you filed a report of suspected fraud, you may get a call from someone representing Medicare to follow up on the status of your suspected fraud report.
No one representing Medicare will ask for a payment or payment information. LeValley explains, “Medicare premiums are typically deducted from your monthly Social Security benefit. Otherwise, you can pay using your Medicare.gov account, using your bank’s online payment system or through the mail.”
Free gifts are rarely truly free. “Never sign up with an insurance broker who offers you an expensive sign-up gift in exchange for providing your Medicare ID number or other vital personal information,” LeValley writes.
Bottom Line: Crooks are “Persuasive and Determined”
Few scams are more lucrative these days than identity theft, and that’s exactly what these Medicare scams are.
LeValley concludes her article with this important warning: “Protecting yourself from identity theft is about paying attention to how and where you use or share your personally identifiable information. Scammers may call repeatedly, use aggressive sales tactics, and try to scare you by creating scenarios, such as the loss of your Medicare benefits, to pressure you into complying with their demands for personal information. These criminals can be very persuasive and determined.”
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(originally reported at www.kiplinger.com)