Medicare 2026

Protect Your Medicare Number: Simple Steps to Stop Fraud

NEWARK, Ohio — Your Medicare number opens the door to your health benefits, your medical history, and thousands of dollars in billing power. That's exactly why scammers want it. Every year, criminals target people on Medicare with phone calls, texts, and door knocks — hoping to trick them into handing over that 11-character ID.

Your Medicare number is as valuable as a credit card

The good news: guarding your number doesn't take special training. A few simple habits, plus knowing what a real Medicare contact looks like, can keep you safe.

Treat your Medicare card like cash

Your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) is the number printed on your red, white, and blue card. Once a scammer has it, they can bill Medicare for services you never received, which can mess up your medical records and even affect your future care.

A few basics from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and Medicare.gov:

• Only share your Medicare number with people you know should have it — your doctor, pharmacist, insurer, or a trusted caregiver.
• Carry your card only when you need it. Otherwise, keep it in a safe place at home.
• Never give your number to someone who calls, texts, or emails you out of the blue.
• Check your Medicare Summary Notice or MyMedicare.gov account regularly for charges you don't recognize.

Know how Medicare actually contacts you

This is the single biggest thing to remember: Medicare will not call you to ask for your Medicare number, bank account, or Social Security number. Medicare already has that information.

Real Medicare communication almost always comes by mail. If someone on the phone says they're from "Medicare" and needs to "verify" your number, activate a "new card," or send you a free brace, test kit, or COVID supplies — it's a scam. Hang up.

The same goes for texts and emails claiming your benefits will be canceled unless you "confirm" your details. Delete them.

Common scams making the rounds

Scammers change their pitch, but the patterns repeat. Watch for:

• "New card" scams. A caller says Medicare is issuing plastic or chip cards and needs your current number. Not true.
• Free medical equipment offers. Braces, genetic test kits, catheters, or diabetic supplies "at no cost to you" — as long as you give your Medicare number.
• Fake plan salespeople. Someone shows up uninvited or calls claiming they can sign you up for extra benefits today. Legitimate agents follow strict CMS rules and cannot cold-call you.
• "Refund" or "rebate" calls tied to the new $2,100 Part D out-of-pocket cap or other 2026 changes. Medicare doesn't send refunds this way.
• Threats of losing coverage if you don't act immediately. Pressure is a red flag.

What to do around enrollment season

Fraud attempts spike during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 – March 31). That's when people expect to hear about plan options, and scammers take advantage of the noise.

If you live in Newark, plan options are set at the county level. Newark is in Licking County, where residents can compare Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans through Medicare's official Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. Sticking to that official tool — or working with a licensed agent you sought out yourself — is the safest way to shop.

Also worth knowing for 2026:

• The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100.
• The Part D maximum deductible is $615.
• The coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone; Part D now has three phases.
• The optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year.
• IRMAA surcharges begin above $109,000 in income for a single filer.

No one needs your Medicare number to "sign you up" for these changes. They apply automatically.

If you think your number was stolen

Take a breath — this is fixable, especially if you act quickly.

1. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report it. Medicare can flag your account and, in some cases, issue a new MBI. 2. Contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Ohio's SMP helps beneficiaries review suspicious charges and report fraud. Reach them through smpresource.org. 3. Check your statements. Look at your Medicare Summary Notices (Original Medicare) or Explanation of Benefits (Medicare Advantage/Part D) for services you didn't get. 4. Report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov if your Social Security or bank info was also shared.

For personalized help in Ohio, contact OSHIIP — the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program — the state's SHIP. Counselors are trained, unbiased, and free.