Fall is the season for Medicare scams.

Protect Your Information

Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) is in full swing through December 7. Unfortunately, Medicare fraud and scams increase during this time of year as well. We recommend you guard your personal information closely throughout your fall shopping and enrollment processes.

Five warning signs to keep in mind.

When receiving calls, emails, and mail ads about Medicare plans, here are five warning signs to keep in mind:

1. They ask for your personal information. Do not share your Medicare number, Social Security Number, bank or credit card information.
2. An insurance agent shows up at your door, unannounced or uninvited. Reputable health insurance agents, including those from Martin’s Point, will not arrive without getting your advance permission. Any “insurance agent” who appears unannounced should be avoided, as they are not following Medicare’s marketing guidelines.
3. They offer “free” gifts. Promises of gift cards, groceries, medical equipment, or more are often designed to obtain your personal information. Be sure to understand the plan’s actual costs and coverage.
4. They pressure you to act immediately. Be wary of anyone who says you must enroll today or threatens to cancel your benefits. You have time to review your options and to call back at another time.
5. They won’t let you verify anything. If you are unsure if a call is legitimate, hang up and verify the information you received. Check the plan directly or use medicare.gov to verify coverage, costs, doctors, and prescription coverage.

Reporting suspected fraud.

If you suspect fraud, you can report it through the Martin’s Point Compliance Hotline: 1-800-297-8616 or complete an Online Reporting Form: https://martinspoint.navexone.com/intake/.