Staying Safe During Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know
As we approach Medicare’s Open Enrollment period (October 15 – December 7, 2025), we want to bring attention to something important: scams targeting Medicare recipients are on the rise and they’re becoming more sophisticated.
This isn’t to alarm anyone, but to empower you with awareness and simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. The good news? With a little knowledge and a watchful eye, you can avoid falling into the wrong hands.
Here are a few helpful tips, straight from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), that we encourage everyone to review and share with others:
1. Review Your Medicare Statements Carefully
If you have Original Medicare (also called Traditional Medicare), you’ll receive something called a Medicare Summary Notice either electronically or by mail. These notices list the health services, supplies, or equipment you received, what was billed, and what Medicare covered.
Take a few minutes to go through these statements. If anything looks unfamiliar or incorrect, it’s okay to ask questions. You can call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report concerns.
If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan or another Medicare health plan, you'll receive similar statements from your plan provider. These are also important to review and clarify anything that doesn't seem right.
2. Know the Signs of a Medicare Scam
Scammers can be creative and persuasive, especially during Open Enrollment. Here are a few common red flags to watch for:
Someone promises free equipment or services in exchange for your Medicare number
High-pressure tactics urging you to switch your plan quickly
Emails, texts, or calls asking you to renew, upgrade, or “verify” your Medicare card
Threats of canceling your coverage if you don’t act right away
Claims of refunds that require you to provide your Medicare or banking information
💡 Remember:
Medicare will never call to sell you anything, and they will not show up at your door. If Medicare does reach out, it’s typically only in response to something you initiated, such as joining a plan, reporting fraud, or asking them to call you back.
You’re Not Alone. We’re Here to Help.
Navigating Medicare can feel overwhelming, especially with the added noise during Open Enrollment. But you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
If you have questions about your plan, your options, or simply want help making sense of what’s legitimate and what’s not, we're here for you. Whether it's reviewing your plan, understanding changes, or discussing how to protect your information, we’re just a phone call away.
Final Thoughts
Scams thrive on confusion and fear. By staying informed, taking your time with decisions, and leaning on trusted resources, you can confidently protect your benefits and your peace of mind.
If you or someone you care about needs help understanding Medicare or spotting potential scams, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office. We're always happy to guide you through it.
1) “Protecting Yourself from Fraud.” Medicare.gov, https://www.medicare.gov/publications/10111-protecting-yourself-from-fraud.pdf. Accessed 8/20/25.
This information was written by KRW Creative Concepts, a non-affiliate of the broker-dealer.
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