Birmingham-area seniors urged to watch for Medicare scams

Medicare's annual open enrollment starts Thursday, Oct. 15, and two Michigan agencies are warning older adults to guard against scams and high-pressure sales tactics. Coverage changes made during this period take effect Jan. 1, 2027.

Birmingham and Bloomfield area seniors who want help comparing plans without pressure can call AgeWays, the southeast Michigan nonprofit that partners with the state's MI Options Medicare counseling program, at 248-262-0545 to schedule a free appointment. Counseling is available by phone, in person or virtually.

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a joint warning Monday, Oct. 12. Scammers may pose as Medicare representatives to steal personal data or money, the agencies said. Some private insurance companies send mailings that look like official government notices, with disclaimers buried in small print.

"The best way for those enrolling in Medicare to protect themselves is to never share any information with anyone who contacts them unexpectedly by phone, mail, online, or in person," DIFS Director Anita Fox said in the release.

Medicare says it will not visit beneficiaries at home or call to sell them anything. It may request personal information during limited follow-up calls after a beneficiary contacts Medicare, joins a plan or reports fraud.

State officials listed several red flags to watch for:

Unsolicited callers asking for your Medicare number. You do not need to provide it just to learn about plans.
Spoofed caller ID. Scammers can make calls appear to come from government agencies. Hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to verify.
Threats about prescription coverage. Medicare Part D is voluntary. Anyone claiming you must enroll or lose your Medicare benefits is likely running a scam.

2026 plan changes

The state release also highlighted changes introduced Jan. 1, 2026: higher Part B premiums and the Part D base premium, along with the first negotiated prices for selected medications. These are current-year changes; beneficiaries should compare their plans’ costs and coverage for 2027.

The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets beneficiaries spread drug costs across monthly payments. Participation generally renews automatically unless a beneficiary opts out, provided they remain in the same drug plan, according to CMS’s renewal rules. Medicare Advantage members should check their individual plan’s out-of-pocket limit when comparing coverage.

Free help and fraud reporting

MDHHS Acting Director Amy Epkey encouraged residents to contact MI Options for free counseling from certified counselors rather than making decisions under pressure. The statewide MI Options line is 800-803-7174, available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Residents who suspect Medicare fraud can contact: