Medicare Open Enrollment Scams: "The Medicare Fraud of the Month for October"

ALBANY, N.Y., Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), a 54-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs and well-being of our State's more than 3.6 million senior citizens, today announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for October: Medicare Open Enrollment Scams.

The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), the definitive resource for New York State's older adults and caregivers to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. StateWide is New York's grantee/administrator for this Federal Program.

Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of StateWide, explains, "The Medicare Open Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 15, can be an open season for scammers."

StateWide advises Seniors to look for these warning signs:

• Someone claims to be endorsed by or represent Medicare:
  • Plans or providers cannot imply Medicare endorsement and may not use the Medicare name or logo in materials.
• A provider asks for a Medicare Number or bank information prior to enrollment:
  • This information can be used for enrollment in plans without permission.
• A provider pressures a Medicare recipient to act fast:
  • Medicare coverage will not be lost if a plan is not selected quickly. Enrollees have the entire open enrollment period to make plan selections.
• A provider offers gifts to encourage enrollment at an event or fair:
  • Event gifts must be given to all attendees regardless of enrollment and not exceeding $15 in value.

Alvarez concluded, "If you suspect your Medicare number has been compromised or you've been enrolled in a plan without your permission, contact the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at StateWide."

"Our counselors provide FREE, unbiased, confidential information about Medicare enrollment options including prescription drug plans."

The New York State Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) can be reached at 800-333-4374 or by visiting www.nysenior.org. StateWide has trained counselors to help Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against Medicare fraud.

StateWide also provides information and educational presentations, assistance regarding any Medicare questions, plan comparisons, appeals, billing issues and patients' rights to all seniors throughout New York State.

It is estimated that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion dollars nationally per year. To help combat this illicit industry StateWide announced its Fraud of the Month program in 2022 to highlight these scams being perpetrated on the State's seniors.

SOURCE New York StateWide Senior Action Council, Inc.