Published: 11/25/2022 10:13:51 AM
Modified: 11/25/2022 10:11:32 AM
The open enrollment period for Medicare coverage is now through December 7, and it is ripe for scammers trying to get your personal information, which they then use to file fraudulent claims or steal identities. Scams come in all forms – phone calls, emails, flyers, and knocks on the door. Here's how people can avoid getting scammed while they consider their Medicare Advantage options and year-round.
Keep your info privateSome of the most common scams are phone calls asking for personal information such as your Medicare number, social security number, address, and other demographic information. This information can be used to steal identities. Medicare will never call you uninvited to request personal or private information. Just hang up.
Another common scam involves phone calls offering free medical equipment or genetic tests. Callers will ask for your Medicare number or other personal information so they can falsely submit a claim to Medicare. That is fraud. Again, just hang up the phone.
If someone comes to your door and says they are from Medicare, do not believe them. Medicare will never send anyone to your home.
Other common scams ■Offers of an arthritis kit to address back pain or other inflammation are fake. There is no such Medicare-approved kit.
COVID-19-related scams have popped up since the pandemic began. Offers of free test kits in exchange for financial or Medicare information, unapproved testing sites, and offers to purchase COVID-19 vaccination cards are some tricks fraudsters are trying. Ensure you get any COVID-19 test kits and vaccines from a trusted health care provider or via the government's free test kit program via the Postal Service.
Prescription drug plan scammers offer a year's worth of prescription drugs for a low price and ask for banking information to make an automatic withdrawal of the cost.
Free medical evaluations and testing can be nefarious. If they ask for your insurance numbers, social security number, or any other such information, walk away.
■Calls or emails asking for info to replace, activate, or upgrade your Medicare card are fake. Scammers will ask for personal information. Hang up or hit delete on that email.
You can find more information on Medicare and the scams that target Medicare-eligible people at Senior Medicare Patrol online or at 1-877-808-2468. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. If you think you've been the target of a scam, contact 1-800-MEDICARE. You can also report suspected scams at the Federal Trade Commission's web site at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
SHINE Massachusetts' free Medicare advice service. Online or call 1-800-243-4636. Medicare.gov
Sarah Fernandes is the Medicare Sales Manager at Health New England and has been with Health New England for over 22 years. Sarah and her team spend countless hours educating the Medicare beneficiaries in Western Massachusetts on their Medicare options. They hold community meetings, Zoom webinars and one-on-one appointments.
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