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Medicare open enrollment scams 2026: how to spot and stop them
From Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, scammers pose as Medicare to steal seniors' data and money. The most common tricks, the red flags and where to verify and report.
Medicare's annual Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7, 2026, and scammers follow the calendar. On October 12, Michigan's Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and Department of Health and Human Services issued an alert on the most common schemes; DIFS Director Anita Fox said enrollment "opens the door for bad actors." The FTC warns that impostors posing as Medicare often already know some of your personal details. Michigan officials also urged residents to avoid making enrollment decisions under pressure.
What are the most common Medicare scams?
| Scam | What you see | The truth |
|---|---|---|
| Fake Medicare rep | Calls, visits or mail asking for your Medicare number | CMS does not call or visit people at home |
| "New card" | Request for Medicare, bank or card numbers to issue a card | Real cards are free and mailed automatically |
| Part D threat | "Join a drug plan or lose Medicare" | Part D is voluntary |
| Official-looking mail | Postcards "authorized by Medicare" | Often private companies, with fine-print disclaimers |
| Spoofed caller ID | A trusted agency's name on screen | Caller ID can be faked |
How does the phone scam work?
An unexpected call appears to come from Medicare or an insurer. The caller cites your name or address to sound credible, adds pressure — a deadline, a threat to your coverage, a free gift — and then asks for your Medicare number or banking details. A stolen Medicare number can be used to bill for services you never received. It is a variant of the fake government agent scam; see also elder fraud in the US.
What changed in 2026 — and how scammers use it
Real changes make useful cover for scammers because they leave beneficiaries unsure. Michigan's alert lists several this year: Part B premiums and the base Part D premium went up; the first round of negotiated prices for high-cost drugs took effect; the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan now renews automatically unless you opt out; and Medicare Advantage in-network out-of-pocket maximums dropped slightly. A caller may cite any of these to sound convincing — \"your plan changed, I need to confirm your details.\" The rule does not change: someone who contacts you out of the blue should not get your Medicare number or bank details.
How to protect yourself
- Share your Medicare number only when you enroll in a plan; you don't need it to compare plans.
- Don't give information to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to verify.
- Ignore pressure to join Part D or decide today.
- Get free, unbiased help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or Medicare.gov.
Where to report
- Medicare impostors: 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Any scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Suspicious charges, errors or abuse: your state's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).
- If your data was stolen, follow our identity theft recovery guide.
Test yourself with the scam quiz and follow the Radar.
Source
- Michigan DIFS e MDHHS — Dicas para evitar golpes no período de inscrição do Medicare (12/10/2026)
- WDIV ClickOnDetroit — Michigan officials warn seniors about Medicare scams (14/10/2026)
- FTC Consumer Alert — Medicare Open Enrollment: protect yourself from scams