Medicare 2026

What Lawrence Medicare beneficiaries can do during AEP

LAWRENCE, Kan. — With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period running through December 7, phones across Douglas County are lighting up with unsolicited calls, texts, and door knocks. Some are legitimate. Many are not. Federal fraud investigators and the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) say scam activity climbs sharply every fall, and this year is no different — with Part D changes like the out-of-pocket cap, which is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027, giving crooks fresh talking points to sound convincing.

Here's how to spot the tricks and protect yourself.

Why scams surge during enrollment season

Between October 15 and December 7, people with Medicare are actively comparing coverage, so a call about "your Medicare benefits" feels normal. Scammers know this. They also know that January 1 through March 31 brings the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period — another window when confused shoppers may drop their guard.

The rule to remember: Medicare itself does not make unsolicited sales calls. Licensed agents also cannot legally call you out of the blue, knock on your door uninvited, or approach you in a parking lot to pitch a plan.

The most common scams to watch for this fall

"We need to verify your new Medicare card." There is no new card for 2027. If someone says your card is being reissued and asks you to "confirm" your number, it's a scam.

"You qualify for extra benefits — groceries, rent, cash cards." Scammers use flashy TV-style promises to get you on the phone, then pressure you to switch plans or hand over your Medicare number. Legitimate benefits are described in a plan's official materials, not in a cold call.

"The new out-of-pocket cap means you owe a fee." The Part D out-of-pocket cap ($2,400 in 2027, up from $2,100 in 2026) and the maximum deductible ($700 in 2027, up from $615 in 2026) are real program rules — but nobody will call asking you to "activate" them or pay to enroll.

"Sign up for the Prescription Payment Plan today or lose it." The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a free, optional way to spread drug costs across the year. You sign up through your Part D plan — never through a stranger who calls you.

Fake "Medicare advisors" at the door. In Lawrence and across Douglas County, SMP has warned about door-to-door pitches around senior housing. Uninvited in-person sales are prohibited under Medicare's marketing rules.

Protect your Medicare number like a credit card

Your Medicare number gives someone the keys to bill the program in your name. Guard it the same way you'd guard your Social Security or bank account number.

• Do not share it in response to a call, text, email, or social media message you did not initiate.
• Do not accept "free" braces, genetic tests, or medical equipment offered by a stranger — a common billing-fraud setup.
• Review your Medicare Summary Notice or online claims at Medicare.gov for services you didn't receive.

Smart steps before you enroll or switch

Douglas County has multiple Medicare Advantage and Part D options available for 2026, and it's fine to shop. Just do it safely:

1. Start at Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, where you can compare plans using your own drug list and pharmacies. 2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for official answers, 24/7. 3. Contact Kansas SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas) for free, unbiased one-on-one help. Counselors are trained volunteers — they don't sell anything. 4. Keep in mind that IRMAA surcharges may apply if your 2024 income was above $109,000 (single filer) for 2026 — a real rule that scammers sometimes misrepresent.

Where to report a suspected scam in Lawrence

If you think you've been targeted or your Medicare number has been compromised:

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report suspicious billing or callers.
• Contact the Kansas Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-800-860-5260 — they investigate Medicare fraud statewide and serve Douglas County.
• Report identity theft to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Reporting matters even if you didn't lose money. Every complaint helps investigators shut down bigger operations targeting Kansas seniors.