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What to know:
Medicare open enrollment runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Michigan officials are urging older adults to review their health insurance options and watch for scams.
Protect your personal information. Scammers may pose as Medicare representatives to steal personal information or money. You generally do not need your Medicare number just to get information about plans.
Watch for misleading mail and high-pressure sales tactics. Some private insurance marketing materials may resemble official government notices.
Verify suspicious calls. Scammers can spoof caller ID. Hang up and call Medicare at 800-633-4227 to verify requests.
Be wary of threats about prescription coverage. Medicare Part D enrollment is voluntary. Claims that you must enroll or lose your Medicare coverage may signal a scam.
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan officials are warning older adults to watch for scams and high-pressure sales tactics as Medicare open enrollment begins Oct. 15.
The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are urging residents to protect their personal information and carefully review health insurance options during the annual enrollment period, which runs through Dec. 7.
Officials said scammers may pose as Medicare representatives to obtain personal information or money.
They also warned that some private insurance companies use mailings that resemble official government communications to promote their plans.
How to protect yourself from Medicare scams
State officials recommend taking several precautions during open enrollment:
Protect your Medicare number. You can get information about Medicare plans without providing your Medicare ID number. You generally need it when enrolling in a plan.
Be cautious of unsolicited contacts. Never provide personal information or your Medicare number to someone who contacts you unexpectedly, even if the person claims to represent Medicare.
Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can disguise their phone numbers to make calls appear to come from legitimate businesses or government agencies. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE at 800-633-4227 to verify a request.
Watch for misleading mail. Some private companies send marketing materials that resemble government notices, with disclaimers printed in small text.
Ignore threats about prescription coverage. Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is voluntary. Anyone claiming you must enroll in a Part D plan or lose your Medicare coverage is using a warning sign of a potential scam.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will not call or send someone to a person’s home to request personal information, officials said. Insurance agents and brokers also cannot falsely claim to represent Medicare or say their plans are endorsed or authorized by the program.
Medicare changes to know for 2026
Officials also encouraged beneficiaries to review changes that took effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Medicare Part B premiums increased, as did base premiums for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.
Medicare also implemented the first round of negotiated prices for several high-cost medications, lowering costs for many beneficiaries.
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan allows enrollees to spread prescription drug costs across monthly payments.
Participation in the program now automatically renews each year unless beneficiaries opt out.
For Medicare Advantage plans, providers must keep their directories up to date, and the annual in-network out-of-pocket maximum decreased slightly.
Where to get help or report fraud
Michigan residents who need help comparing Medicare plans can contact MI Options at 800-803-7174 to schedule a free appointment with a certified, unbiased counselor.
“If you or a loved one has experienced a Medicare scam or a high-pressure sales tactic,” DIFS encourages residents to file a complaint, the department said.
Suspected Medicare fraud, scams, or abuse can be reported to the following agencies:
Michigan Senior Medicare Patrol: 844-677-6424.
Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team: 517-335-7599 or through its online complaint system.
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services: Visit Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or call 877-999-6442 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Medicare: Call 800-633-4227 to verify suspicious requests or questions about coverage.
Officials urged beneficiaries to take their time when reviewing coverage options and avoid making enrollment decisions under pressure.
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