The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a strong warning to consumers to watch out for scams targeting individuals adding or changing their health care coverage during open enrollment. The BBB specifically cautions against fake calls pretending to be from Medicare and Healthcare.gov that ask for sensitive personal information and recommends that consumers should rely only on official websites for making coverage changes.
Scammers view the open enrollment period—a complex and challenging time for selecting health insurance—as a chance to trick people out of money and personal details.
Open enrollment for Medicare runs from October 15 through December 7. Separately, Medicare Advantage open enrollment is held from January 1 to March 31 or within three months of first receiving Medicare. For Healthcare.gov, open enrollment begins November 1. December 15 is the deadline to enroll or change plans for coverage starting January 1, while January 15 is the last day to enroll for coverage starting February 1.
The BBB Scam Tracker frequently receives reports concerning scam calls and texts claiming to be affiliated with Medicare. These callers often promise to enroll victims in a better plan that is cheaper while allowing them to keep all their same services. To proceed, they demand personal information such as the victim’s Medicare ID number and Social Security number. The BBB stresses that no matter how convincing the caller seems or how good the deal sounds, the call is a scam, and sharing personal information will expose the consumer to identity theft.
In one reported incident, a local consumer called a number listed in a Facebook advertisement about subsidized health care payments. The person who answered claimed to be with “Enhance Healthcare” and asked a series of questions until the consumer’s Social Security number was requested.
When the consumer refused to provide the SSN, the caller insisted, asserting they were with a government entity and could transfer the call to a secure line. However, the caller stated they could not help the consumer without the number and further claimed the consumer was already qualified, increasing the pressure to comply.
BBB Tips to Avoid Open Enrollment Scams:
Consumers should be on the lookout for common red flags to avoid falling victim to these cons:
Be Wary of Unsolicited Contact: Be suspicious of anyone who contacts you “out of the blue” regarding coverage. Legitimate help is available from Healthcare.gov and Medicare via “navigators” or “assisters,” but these legitimate helpers will not call you first; you must contact them yourself.
Never Pay for Help: Navigators and assistants cannot charge for their support. If someone asks you for payment, it is a scam.
Guard Government-Issued Numbers: Never offer your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, banking information, or health plan details to anyone you do not know.
Beware of Gifts: Maintain a healthy level of skepticism if a broker offers special deals or free gifts. Never sign up with a broker offering an expensive sign-up gift in exchange for personally identifiable information or your Medicare ID number.
Recognize “Cherry Picking”: Be cautious of brokers offering free “health screenings”. This technique, known as “cherry picking,” is against Medicare rules and is used to weed out less healthy people.
Use Official Websites: If planning to make changes to your health care plan, go directly to Medicare.gov, Healthcare.gov, or your employer’s health insurance provider. Avoid clicking links found in suspicious messages.
Verify Unexpected Emails: If you receive an unexpected email about benefits policies, contact your employer directly to confirm its legitimacy before clicking any links.