Medicare 2026

How Medicare scammers reach Devils Lake by phone and door

DEVILS LAKE, N.D. — Your Medicare number is as valuable as a credit card, and scammers know it. In recent months, the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) has warned that thieves are calling, texting, and even knocking on doors across small-town America, trying to trick older adults into handing over their Medicare information. Guarding that number is one of the simplest, most powerful things you can do to protect your health coverage and your wallet.

Why your Medicare number matters

Your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) — the string of numbers and letters on your red, white, and blue card — is the key to your health benefits. If a scammer gets it, they can bill Medicare for services or equipment you never received. That drives up costs for everyone and can leave errors on your medical record that are hard to untangle.

Devils Lake is in Ramsey County, where residents choose from a range of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D options during Medicare's annual windows. No matter which type of coverage you have, the rules for protecting your number are the same.

Common scams to watch for

Fraud tactics change, but a few keep showing up in North Dakota and nationwide:

• Fake Medicare calls. A caller claims to be from "Medicare" and says you need a new card, a new plan, or a refund — but first they need your number to "verify" you.
• Free medical equipment offers. Ads or calls promise a "free" brace, genetic test, or diabetic supply if you just share your Medicare number.
• Door-to-door visits. Someone shows up offering health screenings, COVID tests, or help enrolling in a plan and asks to see your card.
• Text and email links. Messages that look official ask you to click a link and log in — which sends your info straight to a scammer.

Real Medicare representatives will not call you unsolicited to ask for your number. If you didn't start the call, don't share the information.

Simple steps to protect yourself

You don't need to be tech-savvy to stay safe. A few habits go a long way:

1. Keep your card in a safe place. Carry it only when you need it — for a new doctor's appointment, for example. 2. Share your number only with trusted providers. That means your doctor, pharmacist, hospital, or licensed insurance agent you've chosen to work with. 3. Shred paperwork that shows your Medicare number before throwing it out. 4. Check your statements. Review your Medicare Summary Notice (Original Medicare) or Explanation of Benefits (Medicare Advantage and Part D) each time one arrives. Log in at Medicare.gov to see claims sooner. 5. Hang up on pressure. If a caller rushes you or threatens to cancel your coverage, that's a red flag. Medicare doesn't work that way.

What's new for 2027

A few program-level changes make it even more important to know what should — and shouldn't — appear on your statements:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026, and the maximum Part D deductible is $615.
• The old coverage gap ("donut hole") 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 join.
• IRMAA surcharges for higher-income enrollees begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.
• Annual Enrollment Period: October 15 – December 7. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: January 1 – March 31.

Scammers love enrollment season because people expect calls about their coverage. Be extra cautious during these windows.

What to do if you suspect fraud

If something looks wrong on a statement or someone pressures you for your number:

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report it.
• Contact the North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol, which helps beneficiaries spot, report, and recover from fraud.
• Reach your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased help with Medicare questions.
• If your number was stolen, Medicare can issue a new card and MBI in confirmed cases of fraud.

Reporting fraud helps protect your neighbors, too. Investigators in North Dakota rely on tips from beneficiaries to catch patterns early.