Scams Circulating During Medicare Open Enrollment

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, there are over 59 million Americans currently enrolled to receive Medicare benefits. It is because of this ever-growing number that scammers and deceptive salespeople are targeting Medicare beneficiaries. It is important to be aware of current scams and laws that can safeguard your identity and benefits.

Common types of Medicare fraud include:

Receiving an Unsolicited Phone Call Offering Braces

Beware of unsolicited phone calls and cards from unscrupulous people looking to bill Medicare and insurance for back braces, neck braces and knee braces. Medicare should already have your information. If Medicare or another government agency contacts you, they should have your name and address. A call asking if you are in pain or would like a brace is most likely blasted out to thousands of phone numbers.

• Medicare does NOT call with unsolicited offers of products or services.
• Don’t accept items that you didn’t order. Refuse the delivery and/or return it to the sender. Keep a record of the sender’s name and the date you returned the items.
• If you are unsure whether a call or offer is from Medicare, or you gave your personal information to someone claiming to be with Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227) to report it.
• If you are unsure of what tests, items, or services your current plan covers, go here.

Calls to Confirm a Medicare Number

Someone may contact you claiming to be with Medicare and stating that your Medicare benefits are in danger of being cut off. To keep your benefits, you must confirm your Medicare number. It is important to keep in mind that Medicare will not normally contact you by telephone without prior contact. If you have reached out to Medicare and they contact you via phone, they will already have access to your Medicare number and other personal information.

Callers Claiming to be a Representative from a Medicare Program or Government Agency

Quick and simple — the government will never call you regarding your health insurance, Social Security number or bank information. If there is an issue or question, they will send it through the mail.

Anyone who tries to sell you Medicare insurance while claiming to be an “official Medicare agent” is a scammer. There are no Medicare sales representatives.

All insurance agents selling Medicare plans must be licensed in the state where they’re making the sale. According to Medicare.gov, a licensed insurance agent cannot do the following:

• Visit your home without permission.
• Cold call you without a prior relationship.
• Leave flyers or business cards at your door or on your car.
• Pressure you to switch plans.
• Offer a gift or promotional item that is worth more than $15.

Read the full story on WHNT 19 here.

(AM1180 Chattooga County Radio)