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You have heard horror stories from your friends or family members about the number of phone calls you will receive as you approach 65. Telemarketers from various insurance companies will call incessantly trying to sell you a Medicare plan.
The sad part is many people will fall for these calls and end up enrolling in plans that they didn’t want to be in or give out personal information when they shouldn’t have. If you give out personal information such as your Social Security number or credit card information, you could expose yourself to fraud. When it is time for you to apply for Medicare, be aware of the possible Medicare scams you may encounter and learn how to avoid them.
Scammers target Medicare beneficiaries in various ways.
Common phone scams can include:
Anytime you receive calls like these, hang up! We know they can be compelling, and you may panic, thinking your coverage will lapse if you don’t pay. Hang up the phone and call Social Security or Medicare directly to handle the situation.
Tip: You can register your number on the national Do Not Call list to help limit the random numbers that call you.
You may receive an email from what looks like Medicare or Social Security. If you have not taken recent action with either program, you will want to be cautious of clicking on anything. You will want to read the email and if you have any questions, call Medicare or Social Security directly.
The email hackers out there will try to get into your email and computer, so be cautious of clicking on any links or attachments. Always pick up the phone and call Medicare or Social Security to verify that you should have received an email and what the attachment or link contains. We know the call times can be long, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Some Medicare Advantage commercials can be very misleading. You may see a commercial about a Medicare plan that promises to provide cushy benefits and even give you money back on your Part B. Most of the plans they are advertising in the commercial are not available in every zip code or apply only to very low income people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. You should never buy a Medicare plan over a 1-800 number you see on TV. Call your agent and do the necessary research before you change your plan. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Although scammers may continue to call you day after day, there are a few things you can do to avoid falling for Medicare scams.
Know Where to Apply
When you first sign up for Medicare, you will apply for Part A and Part B through the Social Security Administration. It is ridiculously easy to apply for Medicare online so always do this yourself. If telemarketer or agent says they can do this for you, be aware that you would be giving them very personal information. To avoid Medicare scams, say no thank you
You can call Social Security directly or go online to apply for Medicare. Then reach out to your trusted insurance agent here at Boomer Benefits for help with applying for supplemental coverage.
Private insurance companies sell Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Medicare’s website will list the plans in your area and you can apply directly through the website. You also have the option of applying for a plan directly through a carrier or through a reputable Medicare broker like us. Working with a broker ensures that you have someone to help you on the back end once your policy in place.
Applying for Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plans usually requires personal information such as a Medicare number, Social Security number, and credit card. Make sure you trust the agent you are working with before you hand over that information.
Like Advantage plans and Part D plans, private insurance companies sell Medicare Supplement plans. You can call the carriers directly or call a Medicare broker to enroll.
Medicare and Social Security will RARELY call you first. Social Security may contact you regarding your recent Medicare application or if you called and had to leave a message for a representative. Otherwise, you will likely never receive a call from Medicare or Social Security.
Scammers will call you first and try to convince you to give them information or change your current plan. They will act like you are missing out on something big. Verify what they are saying by calling Medicare or your agent before you act.
Insurance carriers may call you directly if they have any questions or concerns about your policy. If you are still suspicious of this kind of call, you can hang up and call the number on the back of your insurance card.
Your Medicare number, Social Security number, and credit card or bank account information are incredibly personal. While you will need to provide this information when you are applying for a Medicare plan, you usually won’t provide until after an agent has done extensive research for you and explained all of your options. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get more information about the person selling you the plan.
If you believe you have been scammed or experience fraud, you can report suspected Medicare fraud. You will call 1-800-MEDICARE, and TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. You will want to have specific information ready, such as your Medicare number, the service or item you’re questioning, date, and more.
According to Kaiser Family Foundation, over 60 million people are enrolled in the Medicare program. Whether you are new to Medicare this year or changing your current policy, you will likely experience a flood of phone calls. Always be careful about the people who call you first without you initiating the contact.
