Medicare Open Enrollment: Who's Really Calling?

Open enrollment runs October 15 through December 7. For those eight weeks, the phone calls multiply — some legitimate, many not. Here's how to tell them apart.

Start with this

What they're after

Your Medicare number, most of the time. With it, a criminal can bill Medicare for equipment and services you never received. That fraud can take months to unwind and can interfere with the care you actually need.

Some also want you to switch plans. A dishonest agent earns a commission whether or not the new plan is good for you, so they'll rush you, and sometimes they'll enroll you in something you never agreed to.

The lines you'll hear

• “We need to verify your Medicare number before your new card is sent.” (There is no new card.)
• “Your benefits will be cancelled if you don't act today.” (Benefits don't work that way.)
• “You qualify for a free back brace, knee brace, or genetic test.” (This is billing fraud, and it's one of the largest schemes out there.)
• “This is your only chance to enroll.” (You have eight full weeks.)
• “I just need to confirm your Social Security number.” (No.)

Four rules for the season

If you already gave out your number

Call 1-800-MEDICARE and report it. Then watch your Medicare Summary Notices for services you never received, and report anything unfamiliar. You can also report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.