Medicare annual enrollment begins: how seniors can stay safe from scams

OKEMOS, Mich. (WILX) - Medicare’s annual enrollment period kicks off today and runs through December 7th, giving seniors a chance to review and update their health and prescription drug plans for the upcoming year.

While this is an important opportunity to make sure coverage meets individual needs, it also happens to be a peak time for scammers targeting seniors.

Stephanie James, a licensed agent with American Senior Benefits, says many scam calls use familiar numbers or pose as a doctor’s office. One of her clients recently received a call that appeared to be from her doctor’s office, asking for her Medicare information. After hanging up and verifying with the office, she learned the call was fraudulent and had to get a new Medicare number, a process that can take weeks to resolve.

“Your Medicare number is kind of like your Social Security number; it’s supposed to be yours for life,” James said. “It’s great to have somebody local that she could call me right away.”

For seniors like Connie Barnhart of Holt, having a trusted, local agent makes the process much easier.

“It’s scary our there for us seniors to trust certain people, and so this kind of service is very nice to me. It means a lot, more than people realize,” she said.

Experts recommend never giving out personal information over the phone, even if the caller seems official, and always double-checking with your doctor or Medicare provider before responding to unexpected requests.

Agents also encourage seniors to review their plans carefully each year. Coverage can change, and having guidance from a trusted professional ensures benefits meet current needs without falling victim to scams.

For more information or help reviewing Medicare plans, visit American Senior Benefits.

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