4. Medicare Advantage Scams
Sometimes people selling private
Medicare Advantage plans use illegal tactics to get people to sign up for their plans, according to Iowa’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIIP).
On its website, Iowa SHIIP recounts the story of a man who called a telephone number from a television commercial for Medicare Advantage plans. He was quickly sold a plan that wasn’t available to people living in his county, leaving him with new out-of-pocket expenses and no medical coverage.
Insurance agents and brokers selling Medicare Advantage plans must be licensed by the state in which they operate and follow a long list of rules. Furthermore, they’re prohibited from:
- Offering cash, meals or gifts worth more than $15 to entice you to enroll in a plan they sell
- Charging an enrollment fee
- Asking for contact information for your friends and family members
How to Protect Yourself From Medicare Enrollment Scams
Scammers often target people they believe are vulnerable to being misled or confused, but their tactics can be slick and sophisticated enough to fool even savvy consumers who might be embarrassed to admit they were victims of a scam.
Experts suggest taking the following steps to squash Medicare scams.
- Don’t share your personal information. Avoid answering emails from people or companies you don’t know, and don’t speak with telemarketers.
- Ignore pressure tactics or threats to take away your benefits. If you qualify for benefits, you won’t lose them just because you fail to sign up for a plan.
- Say no to gifts. Agents are prohibited by law from offering you meals or other gifts in exchange for signing up for a Medicare plan.
- Refuse offers of freebies “paid for by Medicare.” Scammers sometimes offer free medical equipment (such as a knee brace) as a way to get your Medicare information. You may receive a low-quality device or nothing at all, but the scammers then have what they need to steal your identity.
- Keep an eye on your benefit statements. Look for anything Medicare paid for that seems incorrect or suspicious, such as supplies you didn’t receive, services you didn’t request or double charges.
- Report possible scams right away. If you suspect a Medicare scam, call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it.
