Medicare Open Enrollment Scam (2026 Alert)

How it works, what to do, and real examples

Last updated: April 2026 based on active scam data from Nomorobo

Is the Medicare open enrollment call real?

No. These scams impersonate Medicare representatives or insurance providers during open enrollment periods to trick people into sharing personal information, Medicare numbers, or payment details.

Medicare does not call unexpectedly to request sensitive information or threaten loss of benefits.

Common signs of this scam:

  • Claims your Medicare coverage needs to be updated
  • Offers “free” medical equipment or extra benefits
  • Requests your Medicare number or Social Security number
  • Creates urgency around enrollment deadlines

Listen to the real scam call

Real Medicare Open Enrollment Scam Call (Recorded by Nomorobo)

What to notice in this call:

  • Uses urgency around claiming benefits
  • Promises additional Medicare benefits
  • Requests personal or Medicare information

Transcript:
 “Hey, you may have unclaimed grocery benefits and prescription savings ready on your Medicare plan. This is Chloe from Medicare Benefits. So your Medicare coverage is active at the moment, correct? Perfect. You do qualify for these benefits. Let me connect you to our product specialist to give you more information. Please hold…”

Seen on national TV

How this scam works

Scammers take advantage of confusion during Medicare open enrollment periods:

  1. Impersonation
     They pose as Medicare representatives or insurance agents
  2. Urgency
     They claim action is required before enrollment deadlines
  3. Benefit bait
     They offer free services, medical devices, or expanded coverage
  4. Information theft
    They collect Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, or banking details

How to know it’s a scam

Use this checklist:

  • You receive an unexpected Medicare-related call
  • The caller pressures you to act immediately
  • You are promised free equipment or benefits
  • You are asked for your Medicare number or Social Security number
  • The caller claims your coverage is at risk if you do not respond

What happens if you respond?

If you engage with the caller:

  • Your Medicare number may be stolen or misused
  • Scammers may submit fraudulent medical claims
  • Your identity could be compromised
  • You may be targeted for additional scams

In some cases, stolen Medicare information is sold or reused in broader healthcare fraud schemes.

 

What to do right now

 

If you receive this call:

  • Hang up immediately
  • Do not provide any personal information
  • Never share your Medicare number over the phone unless you initiated the call
  • Contact Medicare directly through official channels
  • Report the scam to Medicare or the FTC
  • Block and report the number
  • Use a call-blocking service like Nomorobo

 

Seen on national TV

Nomorobo’s Matt Mizenko explains Medicare scam calls

Medicare scams increase significantly during open enrollment season as scammers exploit confusion and urgency.

Key takeaway:
Scammers specifically target older adults using fear, urgency, and promises of additional healthcare benefits

Quick breakdown

Fraud Fighters: Medicare Scam Explained

A short breakdown of how scammers exploit Medicare open enrollment periods to steal sensitive information.

What Nomorobo is seeing (real data)

Nomorobo’s honeypot network shows:

  • Medicare scams spike during annual open enrollment periods
  • High-volume robocall activity targeting older adults
  • Frequent use of “free benefit” and “coverage update” messaging

Trend:
Scammers increasingly combine robocalls with follow-up text messages and fake insurance websites.

Frequently Asked Questions

1Does Medicare call people during open enrollment?
Generally no. Medicare does not make unsolicited calls asking for personal information.
2Can someone steal my Medicare benefits?
Yes. Fraudsters can misuse your Medicare number to submit fake claims or commit identity theft.
3What should I do if I already shared information?
Contact Medicare immediately and monitor your healthcare statements for suspicious activity.
4Are free medical equipment offers legitimate?
Often no. Scammers commonly use offers of braces, test kits, or medical devices to collect information.
5Why do these scams increase during open enrollment?
Scammers take advantage of confusion and urgency surrounding benefit changes and enrollment deadlines.

Related scams

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