Medicare 2026

Dec. 7 deadline: Medicare AEP choices for Dearborn Heights

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. — With the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period running through Dec. 7, phones, mailboxes, and inboxes across Wayne County are filling up with pitches — and some of them are outright scams. Federal and state fraud watchdogs say the weeks between mid-October and early December are the busiest of the year for Medicare-related cons, because criminals know beneficiaries are actively thinking about their coverage.

Dearborn Heights seniors face a busy scam season

The good news: nearly every one of these scams has a tell. If you know what to listen for, you can hang up, throw the letter away, and keep moving.

Why the pressure ramps up right now

Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, people with Medicare can change Part D drug plans or Medicare Advantage plans for the coming year. That’s a real deadline, and scammers use it to create fake urgency — “Your benefits will end,” “You need a new card,” “Act today or lose coverage.” None of that is how Medicare actually works.

There are also program changes scammers are twisting to sound scary or exciting:

• A Part D annual out-of-pocket cap of $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
• A maximum Part D deductible of $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
• The coverage gap (“donut hole”) is gone as of 2025 — drug coverage now has three phases.
• The optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year.
• IRMAA income surcharges start above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026.

These are real, but no caller needs your Medicare number, bank account, or Social Security number to “sign you up” for them.

The scams showing up most in Wayne County

Dearborn Heights sits in Wayne County, where the Michigan Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) has flagged several patterns this fall:

• The “new Medicare card” call. There is no new plastic or chip card being mailed. If someone says you need to “verify” to receive one, it’s a scam.
• Fake plan agents at the door. Legitimate licensed agents are not allowed to show up uninvited. Door-to-door Medicare sales are prohibited under CMS marketing rules.
• “Free” genetic tests, braces, or diabetic supplies. A stranger offers a free item in exchange for your Medicare number. Medicare then gets billed for equipment you don’t need — and your number is now compromised.
• Robocalls claiming to be from Medicare. Medicare does not cold-call you. Hang up.
• Spoofed caller ID. The screen may say “Medicare” or a local Dearborn Heights number. That can be faked in seconds.
• Facebook and TikTok ads promising extra benefits, gift cards, or grocery allowances if you “just call this number.” Many route to unlicensed lead-generation call centers.

How to protect yourself in four steps

1. Guard your Medicare number like a credit card. Only share it with your doctor, pharmacist, your plan (if you already have one), or 1-800-MEDICARE. 2. Never decide on a call you didn’t make. Hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or your local SHIP counselor. 3. Check your Medicare Summary Notice or online account every month for charges you don’t recognize. Early detection is how most fraud gets caught. 4. Write down suspicious calls. Date, time, number, and what they asked for. That’s exactly what SMP investigators need.

What a legitimate contact actually looks like

Real Medicare communication is almost always in writing — the annual “Medicare & You” handbook, an Annual Notice of Change from your current plan, or letters on official letterhead. A real licensed agent will not pressure you, will not ask for banking information to “hold” a plan, and will give you a scope-of-appointment form before discussing anything specific. If any of those pieces are missing, walk away.

Quick FAQ

Will Medicare ever call me? Rarely, and only if you called them first and are waiting for a return call. Unsolicited calls claiming to be “Medicare” are scams.

Someone said my card is being replaced with a chip card. True? No. There is no new chip card program in 2027. Your red, white, and blue card is still valid.

I already gave out my Medicare number. What now? Call 1-800-MEDICARE and the Michigan SMP at 800-803-7174. Watch your Medicare Summary Notices closely for the next several months.

How many plans are even available here? Plan availability is set at the county level. In Wayne County you’ll find a wide range of Medicare Advantage and Part D options during AEP — enough that it’s worth comparing on Medicare.gov rather than trusting whichever plan calls you first.

Where to get real help

• Medicare.gov — the official plan finder and fraud reporting site.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 24/7.
• Michigan MMAP (SHIP) — free, unbiased local counseling at 1-800-803-7174.
• Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) — to report suspected fraud.

If a pitch feels rushed, scary, or too generous, that feeling is the warning. Hang up, take a breath, and use the numbers above. Dec. 7 will still be there — and so will your options.