Medicare open enrollment season is here and while it’s hard to miss the advertising, those who may be looking to make a change could be misled or even taken advantage of, says Better Business Bureau serving Central Ohio. In Ohio, nearly 2 million Medicare beneficiaries have the chance to change their Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans until December 7, 2015.
“Sifting through plan options is challenging. Adding in all of the advertising and solicitations can confuse 
even the smartest person,” said Kip Morse, BBB president. “Whether it’s TV or radio advertising, brochures, email, mail or phone calls, we know if can be confusing. People may not know what they can trust. BBB is here and ready to help.”
Medicare Open Enrollment is for anyone who wants to make an adjustment to their plan, not just for those who are eligible for the first time. BBB knows scammers try to take advantage of unsuspecting Medicare recipients. BBB says it’s important for anyone, whether they are helping a parent to enroll or considering their own enrollment options, to work with trustworthy companies and support services.
People are calling BBB after they receive solicitations from people claiming to be from a doctor’s office or state or local health agencies. They are confused because the scammers use official-sounding names and have enough details regarding personal situations that can lead people to share more personal information. “If someone tries to convince you to give up your Medicare number, just hang up the phone,” added Morse.
BBB offers three ways to take to avoid Medicare fraud, as well as common Medicare scams:
- Guard your Medicare number. Your number is unique to you, just like your Social Security number. It should not be shared under any circumstances, unless you know exactly where it is going and who is using it. Protect your number the same way you would protect your bank and credit card information.
- Verify licensing. The Medicare-eligible population grows every year, making sales of Medicare plans big business. Independent agents and brokers selling plans must be licensed in Ohio and the plan must tell the state which agents are selling plans on the company’s behalf. Before any decisions are made, verify the agent has proper credentials with a known company. Start with trust at bbb.org for information about a business or contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at Ohio.Gov or call 614-644-2658.
- Dodge phony pitches. Phone calls, door-to-door, phishing emails, mail offers, health fairs, contests or prizes have all been used to lure people who may be pressed for time or confused by their Medicare options.
- Tactics to avoid:
- High-pressure sales or offers for “early bird discounts” during open enrollment for lower monthly premiums,
- An offer for a “special plan made just for you,”
- Salespeople who ask for personal information upfront before you are enrolled,
- Claims there is a problem with your plan or there is a new card for your plan and updated information is needed,
- Asks for payment over the phone since plans must send you an actual bill.
Medicare is a Federal government program managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which means there are strict rules on forbidden sales practices. Medicare is not part of healthcare.gov.
For additional resources contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at http://www.insurance.ohio.gov/ or 1-800-686-1526
For real time scam information, check out BBB’s Scam Tracker. For consumer tips and other information you can trust follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
