Medicare 2026

Medicare AEP in Washington Township: the Dec 7 cutoff

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — With Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period running through December 7, phones across Gloucester County are lighting up with calls, texts, and door knocks that sound official but aren't. Federal fraud investigators say enrollment season is peak season for Medicare scams, and 2027's Part D changes — including an out-of-pocket cap that rises to $2,400 — are giving crooks fresh scripts to work with.

Here's what to watch for, and how to protect yourself and the people you love.

Why scams surge every fall

Between mid-October and early December, millions of people are actively thinking about their Medicare coverage. Scammers know it. They also know that real changes are coming in 2027 — the Part D out-of-pocket cap moves from $2,100 in 2026 to $2,400 in 2027, the maximum Part D deductible goes from $615 in 2026 to $700 in 2027, and the optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan continues to let you spread drug costs across the year. Those are real, and they're being twisted into fake "new benefit" pitches.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federally funded fraud watchdog, reports that most enrollment-season scams start with an unexpected phone call, text message, Facebook ad, or knock at the door.

The most common scams this season

The "new Medicare card" call. A caller says your card is being updated for 2027 and they just need to "verify" your Medicare number. There is no new card. Your red, white, and blue card doesn't expire, and Medicare already has your number.

The fake "flex card" or "grocery allowance" pitch. TV and social media ads promise big cash cards for food, rent, or utilities if you "call this number now." Some Medicare Advantage plans do include supplemental benefits, but the ads are designed to route you to a high-pressure sales agent — not to Medicare.

The "free" gift or medical device. Callers offer free braces, genetic testing kits, or diabetic supplies in exchange for your Medicare number. Once they have it, they bill Medicare for equipment you never needed — and you may get stuck if Medicare later denies the charge.

Door-to-door "helpers." Under Medicare's marketing rules, licensed agents are not allowed to show up at your home uninvited. If someone rings your bell claiming to be from Medicare, close the door.

Phony "Medicare advisors" online. Look-alike websites and search ads mimic medicare.gov. The real site is the only one that ends in .gov.

Simple rules that stop most scams

• Medicare will not call you to sell you anything.
• Medicare will not text or email asking for your number, bank info, or Social Security number.
• Guard your Medicare number the same way you guard your Social Security number and credit card.
• Never pay for help enrolling in Medicare. It's free through 1-800-MEDICARE, medicare.gov, and your local SHIP.
• If a pitch has a countdown clock or a "today only" deadline, hang up. The real AEP deadline (December 7) applies to everyone equally — no one gets a special extension because you called back in ten minutes.

Where to get real help in Washington Township

Washington Township is in Gloucester County, where Medicare beneficiaries have access to a wide range of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D options during AEP. To compare what's actually available — without a sales pitch — use these free, unbiased resources:

• Medicare.gov Plan Finder — the official comparison tool.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — 24/7, free.
• NJ SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) — trained volunteers who can sit down with you. Call 1-800-792-8820.
• NJ Senior Medicare Patrol — for fraud questions or to report a scam. Call 732-777-1940.
• Gloucester County Office on Aging — local, in-person help for older residents and caregivers.

If you've already shared your Medicare number with someone suspicious, check your Medicare Summary Notice or your online account at medicare.gov for charges you don't recognize, and report them right away.

A quick note on Star Ratings, IRMAA, and 2027 changes

You may see ads throwing around "5-star" language or warning about "higher premiums." Star Ratings are a real Medicare quality measure, but no rating alone tells you a plan fits your doctors and prescriptions. And IRMAA — the income-related surcharge on Part B and Part D — only kicks in above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026. If someone claims you owe an "IRMAA fee" out of the blue, that's a red flag.