Medicare 2026

Medicare enrollment scams Dunwoody seniors should know

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Your red, white, and blue Medicare card is one of the most valuable things in your wallet. To a scammer, your Medicare number is a key that can unlock thousands of dollars in fake billing — and it can be harder to change than a credit card number. Here in Dunwoody, local seniors have reported everything from phone calls offering "free" braces to strangers at community events asking to "verify" their Medicare ID. Knowing what to guard, and how to spot a scam, is one of the simplest ways to protect both your health coverage and your identity.

Why your Medicare number matters so much

Your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) is the 11-character code on your card. It's what providers use to bill Medicare for your care. If a scammer gets it, they can submit fake claims in your name — for medical equipment, genetic tests, or services you never received. That can drain Medicare's trust fund, mess up your medical record, and sometimes even cause your legitimate claims to be denied because a fraudster already "used" your benefit.

Unlike a credit card, getting a new Medicare number isn't automatic. Medicare will only issue a new one if they agree your number has been compromised, and the process takes time. That's why prevention matters.

Who you can safely share your number with

There's a short list of people who have a real reason to see your Medicare number:

• Your doctors, hospitals, and other providers you've chosen
• Your pharmacist
• Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan (if you have one)
• 1-800-MEDICARE representatives when you call them
• Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor, if you ask for help

That's it. No one else needs it — not someone at a health fair booth, not a caller offering a "free" back brace, not a text message claiming your card is about to expire. Medicare cards do not expire.

Common scams to watch for

Fraud tactics change, but the playbook stays the same: create urgency, offer something free, and ask for your Medicare number. Here in Dekalb County, the Senior Medicare Patrol and local law enforcement have flagged several recurring tricks:

• "Free" medical equipment. Callers offer braces, catheters, or diabetic supplies at no cost — they just need your Medicare number.
• Genetic or cancer screening tents. Someone at a public event offers a "free" cheek swab in exchange for your card.
• Fake Medicare calls. A voice claims to be from Medicare and says your benefits will be canceled unless you "verify" your number.
• New card scams. Callers say a new plastic or chip card is being issued and they need to confirm your details. Medicare has not issued a new card design.
• Plan-switching pressure. During Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) or Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 – March 31), scammers pose as agents and push you to share your number to "keep" your coverage.

If something feels off, hang up. You can always call Medicare back directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.

How to spot billing fraud after the fact

Even careful people can end up as fraud targets. That's why reviewing your paperwork matters. If you have Original Medicare, you'll get a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) every three months. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, you'll get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurer.

Look for:

• Services, tests, or equipment you don't remember receiving
• The same service billed more than once
• A provider's name you don't recognize
• Dates when you weren't at the doctor

Keep a simple calendar of your medical appointments. It makes catching a bogus charge much easier.

What to do if you think you've been targeted

If you've shared your Medicare number by mistake, or you see a suspicious charge, take action right away:

1. Call your provider first — sometimes a strange charge is a coding error, not fraud. 2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report the issue. 3. Contact Georgia's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-866-552-4464. SMP counselors are trained specifically to help with Medicare fraud, and their help is free. 4. Reach out to Georgia SHIP (GeorgiaCares) for one-on-one counseling if you're unsure what happened or what your coverage says.

Dunwoody is in DeKalb County, where local senior centers and libraries often host SHIP and SMP volunteers who can meet with you in person. That's a safer way to get help than trusting an unsolicited caller.

A few habits that keep you safer

• Carry your Medicare card only when you need it for an appointment.
• Shred anything with your Medicare number before throwing it away.
• Don't post pictures of your card on social media, even partly covered.
• Be cautious about giving your number over the phone unless you placed the call.
• Remember that Medicare's rules — like the Part D out-of-pocket cap of $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, and the Part D deductible maximum of $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027 — are program-wide facts. No one needs your card to "unlock" them for you.