The Senior Center for Health & Security

The Senior Center for Health and Security
Offers Tips on Avoiding Scams in Enrolling in Medicare Part D

The open enrollment period for Medicare's new Part D prescription drug plans provides scammers and con-artists an unprecedented opportunity to prey on America's seniors.

Since Medicare Part D drug plans will be offered by private companies, your mailbox will be inundated with marketing materials and telemarketers will surely interrupt your dinner.

The Senior Center for Health and Security urges you to use caution when giving out your personal information and offers the following tips to ensure you enroll in a legitimate Medicare approved plan:

• Insurance companies cannot sell their plans before October 1, 2005 and no one can enroll you in a plan before November 15, 2005.
• Never feel pressured to sign up right away with a plan. Make sure the medications you need are covered by the plan, and that you can afford the plan costs.
• You have a right to request information in the mail and review it at your convenience.
• If someone tells you that you must sign up right away or demands a checking account number or credit card number, be suspicious about the company and its products.
• Look for the Medicare-approved seal on all prescription plan marketing materials.
• Companies cannot enroll you into a drug plan over the phone or ask you to pay over the phone unless you are adding prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan or other Medicare Health plan you already have.
• NO ONE may go door to door to sell their prescription drug plan, though companies may call you on the phone.
• Never believe anyone who claims to be from Medicare or any federal agency trying to sell you products or services.
• Never give your Medicare or Medicaid number to anyone for a "free" service.