Beware of Medicare Scams During Open Enrollment

For many, Medicare coverage enrollment can be a nerve-wracking experience, and older adults need to be wary of Medicare scams during Open Enrollment season. Fortunately, there are plenty of well-intentioned, well-qualified professionals who can help you during the Open Enrollment period, which started on Oct. 15 and continues through Dec. 7, 2017.

Four Common Medicare Scams to Avoid

Unfortunately, there are also a lot of people looking to set up a scam, who will provide you with bad information to steal your money and perhaps your identity. Here are four Medicare scams of which you should be aware, along with ways to protect yourself:

1. Medicare does not endorse any insurance company or program. If an advertisement or any person, even an “agent,” tells you that Medicare recommends their plan and wants you to enroll in it, that is false information and you should not participate with them.
2. Your agent should complete all paperwork in your presence. Medicare agents are required to leave you with a copy or a receipt after they have finished. Make sure you have the phone number and the assigned writing number for the agent. You will have to disclose a lot of personal information, so make sure you are confident in your chosen agent.
3. Enrolling over the phone is fine, but make sure that you are the one who initiates the phone call with the insurance company. They should not be calling you to begin the Medicare enrollment process. Numbers for insurance companies are in the back of your Medicare and You booklet. Once you enroll, the insurance company is required to call and verify your intent to enroll. If they fail to reach you after three calls, they will mail you a letter.
4. Beware that some insurance companies will offer you enticements like free medical supplies, gift cards or a free meal. They may actually have learned some medical information about you. These are usually attempts to obtain your personal information or subject you to a high-pressure sales pitch. Some health screening offers are legitimate, but you or a trusted family member or friend should carefully explore them first.

Licensed Insurance Brokers

Licensed insurance brokers have completed yearly training and must be certified to enroll you in Medicare plans. You can contact the Missouri Department of Insurance to verify whether an insurance broker has an active license.

If your insurance broker attempts to scare or pressure you into making a decision, ask them to leave.

For more information, read Medicare’s outline of what agents can and cannot do.

Finally, when you find a knowledgeable, helpful, broker, make sure you tell your friends.

More Information on Medicare Open Enrollment

At Bethesda, senior safety is our top priority. This includes not only health care but also identity protection for our senior residents. If you have questions about Medicare enrollment or common Medicare scams, contact Bethesda or Stacy Haberstroh, (314) 517-4073, at Senior Insurance Concepts for more information.