Medicare open enrollment warnings issued for scams and plan changes

As the annual Medicare open enrollment period approaches, spanning from October 15 to December 7, health experts and officials are warning seniors to remain vigilant against increasing fraudulent activities and to carefully evaluate their coverage options.

Scammers are reportedly targeting eligible consumers by impersonating Medicare officials to solicit account information or sell unnecessary health products. Common red flags include high-pressure tactics, such as claims that coverage will be canceled if action is not taken immediately, or assertions that an offer is only available for a single day. Officials note that Medicare will never call or visit homes to sell products, and enrollees should not provide Medicare card numbers unless they initiated the contact.

In addition to fraud prevention, experts emphasize the importance of reviewing plan changes for the upcoming year. Because deductibles, co-pays, and network coverage can shift, a plan that was effective in the current year may not be the most cost-effective for 2027. Assistance is available through various state and federal resources, including the Nebraska Department of Insurance and the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long-Term Care.