Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) a Project of Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A) December 2016 News You Can Use HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST COMMON MEDICARE SCAMS: Keep an eye out for these common Medicare scams: 1. Switching plans is a must. One common scam involves insurance agents telling you that open enrollment isn't just an opportunity to change your Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, it's a must, and that failing to do so could cause you to lose your current coverage. You’re entitled to stay with your current policy and not make any changes at all if that’s your preference. 2. Medicare is changing cards. Be on the lookout for anyone who tells you Medicare cards are changing and that to get your new card you just need to update your information. The common line, is to tell you that you "just need to update [your] file with credit card information and Social Security information so Medicare can issue [you] a new card." It's a scam. Again, Medicare will never call you or show up at your door – or ask you for personal information. 3. Health fair scams. Health fairs or other events can be ripe with opportunities for fraud. A common tactic by vendors with bad intent is to staff a table at a health fair and advertise a free gift, like nutrition supplements. To enter into a drawing for a free prize, you'll be asked to sign up by giving your name and Medicare number. 4. Phony organizations. Finally, be on the alert for any calls from people saying they're from your doctor's office, or state or local health agencies that are often given a phony, official- sounding name. Sometimes crooks will get illegal access to your medical information from your doctor's office and call with enough detail about your personal situation to lure you into sharing more personal details that can lead to fraud. AVOID 4 HOLIDAY SHOPPING TRAPS FOR SENIORS: The best way to defend yourself from seasonal scams is to know which holiday shopping traps to avoid. Four holiday scams seniors should watch out for: 1. Fake charities 2. Sneaky shipping charges 3. Hidden subscriptions services 4. Online order tricks

Permission granted to AAAs to reprint these articles with credit given to Iowa SMP. This document was supported, in part, by Grant #90MP0200, from the Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health and Human Services. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy. ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS FROM IOWA SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL News distributed by Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol Program, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A), Waterloo, IA, [email protected] 1-800-423-2449.

Permission granted to AAAs to reprint these articles with credit given to Iowa SMP. This document was supported, in part, by Grant #90MP0200, from the Administration for Community Living, US Department of Health and Human Services. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.