8 Ways Seniors and Caregivers Can Avoid Medicare Open Enrollment Scams and Pushy Sales Calls Before Dec. 7

With Medicare open enrollment running through Dec. 7, millions of older adults are comparing plans this year, many because they have to. KFF estimates that about 4.3 million people will have their Medicare Advantage or stand-alone drug plan terminated at the end of 2026. That kind of urgency is exactly what scammers count on.

Health insurance scams are among the most common robocall complaints the Federal Communications Commission receives, and they spike during open enrollment, the agency warns in its 2026 open enrollment scam alert. Callers pose as Medicare, government agencies or insurers and dangle free screenings, gifts, lower premiums or special deals. Here are eight ways seniors and caregivers can protect themselves.

1. Did you call them, or did they call you?

Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit your home, according to Medicare.gov. Medicare, or someone representing it, calls asking for personal information only in limited situations, such as returning a call after you joined a plan, reported fraud or left a message. Under Medicare’s marketing rules, plans and their agents also cannot call or text you unless you are already a member or gave them permission. Don’t join a plan over the phone unless you called and asked for help, Medicare says.

2. Is someone asking for your Medicare or Social Security number?

Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, bank account numbers or passwords during an unexpected call or text, the FCC advises. Medicare says to share your card and number only with your doctor or people you know should have them, such as your insurer or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). A plan cannot ask for bank or card numbers just to give you a quote, or ask you to pay by phone; it must send a bill.

3. Does the caller sound friendly, local and helpful?

That is no longer a sign of a real call. A CMS security article describes a “vishing,” or voice phishing, call in which a polite caller said a new Medicare card was already in the mail, asked the person to “confirm” a Medicare number and address, then chatted about medications before suggesting a back brace. CMS warns that artificial intelligence tools now help scammers build natural, believable scripts using personal data scraped from the internet. If a caller pressures you, or calls back after you hang up, treat it as a red flag.

4. Can you verify the number yourself?

Caller ID can be spoofed to look like Medicare, HealthCare.gov or a trusted insurer, the FCC says. Hang up and contact the agency or insurer using the number on its official website or on your card, and never use a callback number given in a suspicious message. The FCC also explains how to turn on call-blocking tools at fcc.gov/blockit.

5. Are you being offered gifts, cash or a “refund”?

Medicare plans cannot offer cash, gifts worth more than $15 or free meals as an incentive to join, under Medicare’s marketing rules. The FCC, citing the National Council on Aging, lists other common warning signs: promises of free items or services, pressure to switch plans, notices to “renew” or upgrade your Medicare card, threats to cancel your coverage and claims that you are owed a refund.

6. Are you on an official website?

Scammers use look-alike websites, sponsored search ads and QR codes or links in text messages that lead to fake enrollment pages, the FCC warns. To compare Medicare plans, go directly to Medicare.gov and use its Plan Finder, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Unsure about a seller? The FCC suggests checking with your state insurance commissioner’s office.

7. What can an agent legally do at a sales meeting?

Agents and brokers must be licensed by your state. They cannot come to your home uninvited, charge an enrollment fee, steer or pressure you toward a plan, or ask you to sign before you are ready, according to Medicare’s rules. A sales appointment requires your agreement and an appointment form, and they may discuss only the products you agreed to hear about. Before discussing benefits, they must tell you how many organizations and plans they represent and refer you to Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE for all your options.

8. Where do you report a scam or get unbiased help?

Report suspected Medicare fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or online through Medicare.gov. People with a Medicare Advantage or drug plan can also call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, if you think you were scammed, to local police, the FCC advises. Your state’s Senior Medicare Patrol can help review suspicious calls, bills or statements; the national SMP Resource Center is at 877-808-2468. For free, unbiased help comparing plans, contact your SHIP through shiphelp.org.

After open enrollment, keep checking. Medicare recommends comparing your statements with your own calendar of appointments. HNC’s open enrollment checklist covers what to compare in a plan, and our explainer on why 2027 choices are harder lays out this year’s changes.

Key Takeaways

• Medicare never calls to sell you a plan or visits your home uninvited.
• Plans and agents cannot call or text you unless you are a member or gave permission.
• Never share your Medicare or Social Security number on an unexpected call; hang up and call the official number yourself.
• Plans cannot offer cash, gifts worth more than $15 or free meals to get you to join.
• Report fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Open enrollment ends Dec. 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources: FCC: Beware of Health Care and Open Enrollment Scams; Medicare.gov, Marketing rules for Medicare health and drug plans and Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse; CMS Information Security and Privacy Program; KFF (Oct. 27, 2026); SMP Resource Center.

Featured image: Prescription medicines spilled from a pill bottle. (C. Todd Lopez, U.S. Army, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)