Medicare 2026

Medicare enrollment scams facing Haverhill residents

HAVERHILL, Mass. — Your Medicare number is one of the most valuable pieces of information you own. In the wrong hands, it can be used to bill for services you never received, drain federal dollars, and tangle up your own medical records for months.

The good news: a few small habits go a long way toward keeping your number safe. Here's what Haverhill residents should know heading into 2027.

Treat your Medicare number like a credit card

Your Medicare card holds a personal identifier that's tied to your health history, your benefits, and federal payments made on your behalf. Medicare has said for years to treat that number the way you'd treat a bank card or Social Security number.

That means:

• Don't carry the card unless you need it for an appointment.
• Don't post photos of it on social media — even a partial view can be enough.
• Don't share the number over the phone unless you placed the call to a trusted number (like 1-800-MEDICARE or your doctor's office).

Only give your Medicare number to your doctor, pharmacist, insurer, or someone you trust to work with Medicare on your behalf.

Know who will — and won't — call you

Medicare will not call, text, email, or knock on your door to ask for your Medicare number, bank account, or credit card. If someone does, it's a scam. Full stop.

Common pitches to watch for in the Merrimack Valley:

• "Free" braces, genetic testing kits, or diabetic supplies sent in the mail if you'll just "confirm" your Medicare number.
• Callers claiming your card is being "upgraded" to a plastic or chip version. (There is no new card.)
• Someone offering a gift card, refund, or extra benefit in exchange for your information.
• Pressure to enroll in a plan on the spot, especially during Annual Enrollment (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 – March 31).

When in doubt, hang up and call Medicare directly.

Read your statements — every time

Fraud often shows up first on paper. Every three months, Original Medicare beneficiaries get a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). People on Medicare Advantage or Part D plans get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from their insurer.

Take a few minutes to check:

• Dates of service — were you actually seen that day?
• Providers listed — do you recognize them?
• Services or equipment billed — did you receive them?

If something looks off, it doesn't automatically mean fraud. It could be a billing mistake. But it's worth a call.

What to do if you spot something wrong

Start with the provider's billing office; many issues are honest errors. If the answer doesn't add up, contact:

• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report suspected fraud.
• Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which helps beneficiaries detect, report, and prevent Medicare fraud at no cost.
• SHINE, Massachusetts's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), for free, unbiased counseling on Medicare questions.

Haverhill is in Essex County, where a wide range of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered each year. That variety is a good thing for consumers, but it also means more mailers, more phone calls, and more opportunities for bad actors to slip in. Slowing down before you share information is your best defense.

A few 2027 facts worth knowing

Scammers often lie about program rules to sound official. Here's the real picture for 2027:

• Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) for the year.
• The Part D deductible can be no higher than $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027).
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap was eliminated in 2025; Part D now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly payments — it's optional and free to sign up.
• Higher-income surcharges (IRMAA) begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

If a caller quotes numbers that don't match these, that's a red flag.