In the fall there’s a lot of talk about Medicare Open Enrollment, but what is it? If you or someone you care for is on Medicare, this period is your yearly chance to review your coverage, compare plans, and make changes that could save money or improve your benefits. Unfortunately, it’s also the time when scammers ramp up their efforts to steal personal information or trick people into buying something they don’t need. In this post, we’ll go over what Medicare Open Enrollment is and when it happens, red flags to watch for, and trustworthy resources to help you choose the plan that’s right for you. 

 

When is open enrollment? 

• Medicare open enrollment happens every year between October 15th and December 7th.  The plan you opt into will start on January 1st.   
• Open enrollment is for current Medicare enrollees. If you don’t qualify for open enrollment, you can enroll during special enrollment periods throughout the year.  

 

What can I change? 

• Signing up for Part D prescription plan. 
• Switching Part D plans. 
• Choosing or switching Medicare Advantage plans. 
• Swapping Medicare Advantage for original Medicare and a Part D plan.  

 

Avoiding Common Scams  

• We’ve covered Medicare open enrollment scams on the blog before. 
• Keep your information safe. 
  • Don’t share private information (e.g., Social Security number, Medicare ID number, etc.). If a caller asks for information because they claim you need a new card, know that Medicare would never ask for information over the phone. You can order a new card by going to Medicare.gov or calling Medicare at (800) 633-4227. 
• Know common signs of scams.  
  • Medicare will not contact you unless you reach out to them. Anyone calling and claiming to be a Medicare representative is likely a scammer.  
  • If a caller pressures you to act immediately or threatens that you’ll lose benefits unless you act right away, this is a classic scam tactic.  
    • Stop, breathe, and ask yourself whether what the caller says makes sense.  
    • Hang up and contact Medicare to see if there are really issues with your account/benefits.  
  • If someone wants to help you enroll in Medicare but says you need to pay them in advance or pressures you to enroll in a specific plan, it’s a scam. 
    • Medicare navigation is free and available in many communities and via phone (see below!)
    • If someone is pressuring you to make a specific decision, remember that they probably benefit from it! 
• Offering rebates or refunds 
  • If there is a legitimate discount, you’d hear about it from your insurance, not from a random phone call.  
• Offering free services/medical supplies/medical testing 
  • Remember: If something seems to good to be true, it probably is! 
  • Remember: Medicare won’t reach out to you unless you reach out to them first.  

  

Resources 

• Medicare Navigation (also sometimes called SHIP) 
  • AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services (800) 852-7795 or (248) 262-0545 
  • Catholic Charities Washtenaw County (734) 971-9781, Ext. 7 
  • Jewish Family Services (734) 769-0209 
  • Manchester Community Resource Center (734) 428-7722 
    • Has volunteers from Chelsea Hospital during Open Enrollment  
  • Michigan State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) (800) 803-7174 
  • Turner Senior Wellness Program (734) 998-9353 
  • Washtenaw Health Project (734) 544-3030 
  • Washtenaw County Social Security Administration (734) 481-2000 
• Medicare Information 
  • Your Medicare Rights via Medicare.gov 
  • Reporting Medicare Fraud and Abuse via Medicare.gov 
  • Getting Medicare Information in Other Languages via Medicare.gov 
  • Beware of Medicare Open Enrollment Scams via MI Consumer Protection