Plain-words guide

Medicare open enrollment scams: what callers can and cannot legally do

During open enrollment (October 15 – December 7), scammers pose as "Medicare" to harvest identities and switch people into plans they never chose. The bright lines: Medicare itself does not call to sell you anything, plans may not call you without permission, and nobody legitimate asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or a payment to "keep your benefits." Real help is free and doesn't cold-call: medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your state SHIP counselor (Florida SHINE, 1-800-963-5337).

What legitimate contact looks like

Your own plan writes to you (the September ANOC letter). Agents you contacted may call you back. Everything else — an unsolicited call about "new benefits," a "plan card upgrade," a "free" service needing your Medicare number — treat as a scam.

Guard the number

A Medicare number is as valuable as a credit card. Give it only to your doctor, your pharmacy, your insurer, or people YOU called at official numbers. Check your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice for services you never received and report oddities to 1-800-MEDICARE.

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Common questions

Caller ID says Medicare. Is it Medicare?

Caller ID is easily faked. Medicare communicates by mail and only calls in limited cases you initiated. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself if unsure.

Someone enrolled me in a plan I didn't choose. What now?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report the unauthorized switch and ask about retroactive disenrollment; SHINE counselors can help with the paperwork, free.

Are 'free gifts for enrolling' legal?

Plans may offer only nominal-value items; anything of real value offered as an inducement is a red flag.

Sources: Medicare.gov — Help fight Medicare fraud · Senior Medicare Patrol. This guide is general information, not legal, financial, or medical advice.