NATIONWIDE — Medicare scams are no joke.

Victims’ identities can be stolen. The cost of scams, fraud and abuse can hit taxpayers for $60 billion per year.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), an organization dedicated to advocacy for the rights of seniors in New York State, tackled scam prevention during Medicare’s open enrollment period—a prime time for scammers to operate.

The work is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a central location for New York State’s senior citizens and caregivers to detect, prevent and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse. 

StateWide is New York’s grantee/administrator for the federal program.

“Watch out for scams during the Medicare open enrollment period as you look for your best health coverage options,” said Maria Alvarez, executive director of StateWide. “Don’t forget to keep an eye open for fraudsters. Open Enrollment can quickly become an ‘open season’ for scammers.” 

What is open enrollment?

Medicare open enrollment allows Medicare beneficiaries to make changes to their health and prescription drug plans. It’s an opportunity to review and adjust coverage to ensure it aligns with their health care needs and budget. 

Beneficiaries can change their drug coverage or switch into or out of their Medicare Advantage plans.

The open enrollment period closes Thursday, December 7.

Any changes made take effect on January 1, 2024.

If a beneficiary has retiree coverage from a former employer, StateWide added, it is very important they speak with their benefits administrator before making any changes.

Yes, scams in Medicare too

Alvarez advised seniors to beware of the following typical Medicare enrollment scams. The scammers often contact victims over the phone, online or by email.

Someone asks for personal information, such as your Medicare number, Social Security number and/or bank information.

Someone claims they work with Medicare, are an “official Medicare agent” or “represent Medicare.” There are no Medicare representatives, and Medicare will never cold-call you.

A scammer might say that you must join a Medicare prescription plan, also known as Part D. Joining Part D is completely voluntary. So is getting a Medigap insurance plan.

A scammer could threaten or pressure you to enroll in a certain plan. You have the entire open enrollment period to decide on a plan.

You might be told you could lose all your Medicare benefits if you don’t do as they say. If you qualify for benefits, the FTC’s consumer page states, you can’t lose them by not signing up for someone’s plan. (Some people do have to sign up for traditional Medicare; see Medicare’s page for details at www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare.)

Someone might offer you gifts to enroll in their plan. This is illegal.

If they say that Medicare prefers their plan, that is not true. 

Those who suspect their Medicare number or Social Security number has been stolen, or if they think they’ve been enrolled in a plan without permission, can call StateWide at 800/333-4374.

StateWide will also answer questions about Medicare fraud and what coverage is best for one’s needs. 

Information from StateWide, www.Medicare.gov and www.consumer.ftc.gov.