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Older adults should be on the lookout this time of year for scams and high-pressure sales tactics during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period, which starts Thursday and extends through Dec. 7, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advised.
"The Medicare Open Enrollment period is an important time for Michigan older adults to review their health insurance and prescription drug coverage options," DIFS Director Anita Fox said in a news release. "Unfortunately, it also opens the door for bad actors who may try to steal personal information or money. The best way for those enrolling in Medicare to protect themselves is to never share any information with anyone who contacts them unexpectedly by phone, mail, online, or in person."
"We want to ensure Michigan residents can access health care coverage without being taken advantage of by scammers," said MDHHS Acting Director Amy Epkey. "Families who need help navigating Medicare plan options or enrollment are urged to call the MI Options call center at 800-803-7174. Certified counselors are available to provide free counseling to help individuals make the best choices for their health and well-being."
To help protect Michiganders from Medicare-related scams and high-pressure sales efforts, DIFS and MDHHS offers these tips --
-- Always protect your Medicare ID number. You can get information on Medicare plans without providing an ID number. The only time you must use your ID number is when you enroll in a plan.
-- Never give your Medicare ID number or any other information to unsolicited callers or those making requests through other means, even if they say they are from Medicare. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will never call or send someone to your home. Insurance agents and brokers cannot state they are from Medicare, that their plans are approved, endorsed or authorized by Medicare, that they are calling on behalf of Medicare, or that Medicare or any state or federal agency has asked them to call or visit you. If you receive an unsolicited call or home visit from someone requesting personal information or your Medicare number, or you receive a postcard claiming to be from Medicare or authorized by Medicare, it is a scam.
-- Do not rely on caller ID. Scammers can use technology to make it look like they are calling from a recognized business or government agency. To verify the legitimacy of the caller, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to verify.
You can also report Medicare impersonators and other Medicare scams, fraud or abuse to: Michigan Senior Medicare Patrol at 844-677-6424; Michigan Department of Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team at 517-335-7599 or file a complaint online at https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx; and Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or by calling 877-999-6442 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday to file a complaint.
-- Ignore anyone who contacts you saying you must join the prescription drug plan -- also known as Part D -- or you will lose your Medicare coverage. The prescription drug plan is completely voluntary.
-- Beware of mailings appearing to be government communications. This type of mail is from private companies with disclaimers buried in small print.
As of Jan. 1 of this year, several important Medicare updates took effect. Medicare Part B premiums increased, and base premiums for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage also rose. Additionally, Medicare implemented its first round of negotiated prices for several high-cost medications, reducing costs for many beneficiaries.
Medicare enrollees may also use the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, which allows individuals to spread out their prescription drug costs through monthly payments. This option now automatically renews each year unless the enrollee chooses to opt out.
For Medicare Advantage plans, providers must keep their directories up to date, and the annual in‑network out‑of‑pocket maximum will go down slightly.
For questions about Medicare coverage, MDHHS and DIFS urge you to contact MI Options by calling 800-803-7174 to schedule an appointment with an unbiased counselor to assist you.
Additional information and Medicare assistance can also be found at Medicare.gov.