How to be protected from scams during Medicare open enrollment

The call came from Health and Human Services, warning a man his insurance had been cancelled.

He'd been transferred to a new carrier, and they needed a new payment.

A big insurer called another Medicare patient, wanting to help him choose the right plan. They said he had limited choices because he didn't have a quality of life event.

But they were scams.

Both men complained to the Better Business Bureau about losing hundreds of dollars — and more.

"He took my debit card number, Social Security number and insurance information," one victim said.

Medicare scams happen all year but seem to increase during open enrollment.

And it is enrollment time!

MEDICARE HELP FOR YOU… OR THEM?

Medicare open enrollment lasts from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 and prompts insurance brokers to reach out offering help.

"If you're getting a piece of mail, a flyer, you're getting a postcard or watching a TV commercial, you have no idea if that company has your best interest at heart," says Carol Brown with the Area Agency on Aging.

While you can set up your own Medicare plan and make changes at Medicare.gov, some choose brokers to help them.

Brown says while there are many legitimate brokers, she's heard horror stories of seniors choosing the wrong broker selling the wrong plan.

"They've lost their doctor or they've lost their treatment that they were going under. They lost coverage for the specific prescriptions that they need to use. Now they're in a place they can't undo the damage until next year," Brown says.

Brown says the Area Agency on Aging offers free hands on Medicare help.

While most brokers work on commission, she says their advisers do not get paid that way and offices are available nationwide.

Check out Arizona Area Agencies on Aging locations:

https://des.az.gov/services/older-adults/area-agency-on-aging-locations

If you do choose a broker, Brown says look for one that has previously helped family or friends.

You can also check reviews and hire a BBB accredited insurance broker at bbb.org.

BILLED FOR EQUIPMENT YOU DON'T NEED

Another big Medicare scam right now involves fraudulent claims for equipment that was never requested or received.

BBB Scam Tracker shows a Goodyear woman found $10,800 in urinary catheter supplies billed to Medicare in her name. "These are all for a provider I do not know and have never seen."

A Phoenix man says $9,200 in "various wrist, knee orthotic supplies" were charged to Medicare in his name "which I never requested or received."

And a Prescott woman says Medicare paid a $12,000 charge for unordered equipment. "I only learned of this through Medicare claims statements."

While Medicare patients aren't responsible for the charges, most say they worry how it might affect their benefits later. And they're concerned about how their personal information was available and used by scammers.

* Protect yourself:

* Ignore requests demanding Medicare or financial information. Medicare only asks you to verify if you contacted them first and will never try to sell you anything.

* Don't trust caller ID even if it shows Medicare. That can be faked.

* Check your Medicare claims often and report anything irregular through your account at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227)

Learn about ALL the latest scams at joeknowsbetter.com and BBB Scam Tracker.https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker