Medicare Open Enrollment ends Jan. 1, 2025 and, in the meantime, scammers will be heating up their plans.
During Open Enrollment, Medicare members can review their plan options and make changes in their coverage for the following year. You can switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, switch between Advantage plans, add or drop cover, or join a prescription plan, among other things.
That doesn't mean you have to make a change or even that you should. Consider the pros and cons before making any changes to your Medicare plans, because any change may affect all aspects of your coverage. Never make a change based on a single great-sounding benefit.
Be aware that bad actors will often use scare tactics to obtain your Medicare information and other personal details.
One common tactic is to call and say Medicare has canceled your coverage or that you will lose your insurance. This is not true. Medicare will contact you by mail if this is the case and will never call you. Never give a caller your Social Security Medicare numbers.
Other scammers may call you and say they have a cheaper supplementary plan or drug coverage. Remember that there may, in fact, be cheaper plans, but you are unlikely to find the right one with just a phone call. It's illegal for legitimate Medicare agents and brokers to call someone they haven't worked with. If you are getting a call from an unknown person, give no information and make no changes.
Some fraudsters call you and claim that you need a new Medicare card. They may claim that your card is outdated and you need one with a chip. They will ask for personal information to confirm your identity. This is a scam. Never give a caller any personal information.
