08/14/2026
Recognizing False Advertising: The 2026 Medicare Changes Scam.
Important Information for All Medicare Beneficiaries. Every year, millions of Americans rely on Medicare for their health coverage and peace of mind. Unfortunately, there are dishonest individuals and organizations who attempt to take advantage of Medicare beneficiaries through deceptive telemarketing schemes. Recently, there has been a surge in phone calls to Medicare beneficiaries, aggressively claiming that new changes for 2026 will result in the loss of Medicare benefits unless immediate action is taken. These callers may present themselves as official representatives or experts, but the information they are providing is false and designed to scare you.
Many beneficiaries have reported receiving unsolicited calls from telemarketers who claim that their Medicare coverage is at risk due to upcoming changes in 2026. The callers often use scare tactics, such as:
·Stating you will lose your Medicare benefits unless you act now
·Insisting that changes must be made immediately to keep your coverage
·Claiming to need your Medicare ID Number to “review” or “update” your account
·Implying they are from Medicare, Social Security, or another official agency
It is important to understand that these claims are false advertising. There are currently no changes announced by Medicare for 2026 that would require beneficiaries to act immediately or risk losing their benefits. The government does not contact beneficiaries this way, nor does it ask for your Medicare ID Number over an unsolicited phone call.
Why Are These Calls Dangerous?
The primary goal of these telemarketing calls is to obtain your personal information, especially your Medicare ID Number. Once scammers have this information, they can:
·Commit identity theft
·Fraudulently bill Medicare for services you never received
·Potentially enroll you in a different plan without your consent
·Cause interruptions to your current healthcare coverage
The ripple effects of Medicare fraud can be serious. Not only can your coverage be impacted, but resolving fraudulent activity can take significant time and effort. Protecting your Medicare ID is as important as safeguarding your Social Security Number or bank account details.
What Should You Do If You Receive Such a Call?
If you receive a call from someone stating you must make changes to your Medicare plan because of new laws or rules, do not share any personal information. Instead, follow these steps:
·Hang up immediately if the caller pressures you for information or threatens loss of coverage.
·Do not confirm or disclose your Medicare ID Number, Social Security Number, or bank information over the phone.
·Ask for the caller’s name, company, and a callback number. Legitimate representatives should be able to provide this information, though scammers may refuse or hang up.
·Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint or 1-877-FTC-HELP.
·Contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you have questions about your benefits or coverage.
Remember, legitimate Medicare representatives will never call you unexpectedly and ask for your Medicare Number, Social Security Number, or payment details. If you have not initiated the call, be highly suspicious of anyone requesting this information.
How Can You Protect Yourself and Others?
Vigilance is the best defense against Medicare fraud and scams. Here are practical tips to keep yourself safe:
* Avoid the TV & Social Media Commercials
* Register your phones with the FTC: Do Not Call Registry Go to National Do Not Call Registry or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It’s free.
* Report Fraud: ReportFraud.ftc.gov - Assistant
If you believe you are victim of False Advertising, please call me and we will discuss our next steps.
English Due to the government shutdown, we are unable to offer this website service. We will resume normal operations when the government is funded.
