States Warn Seniors of Medicare Enrollment Scams

Officials are warning Medicare beneficiaries to watch for scams during open enrollment, when criminals may pose as Medicare representatives or insurers by phone, mail, text, or in person to steal personal information or sell unwanted coverage. Caller-ID spoofing and AI-generated voices can make fraudulent pitches harder to recognize, and stolen Medicare numbers may be used to submit false claims that can interfere with access to legitimate care. Consumers should not share sensitive information in response to unsolicited contacts, use official Medicare or HealthCare.gov resources, and seek help from trusted counselors or agents rather than responding to high-pressure sales tactics. The warning is especially urgent in Iowa, where more than 87,000 beneficiaries have been notified that their plans will be discontinued or changed, leaving some to choose replacement coverage during enrollment.