Medicare 2026
Watch for These Medicare Scams in Warwick This Fall
WARWICK, R.I. — With Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period running from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, Rhode Island seniors are once again a top target for scammers. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) reports that fraud attempts spike every fall as criminals piggyback on the flood of legitimate mailers, TV ads, and phone calls that come with enrollment season.
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Key takeaways
- Medicare will never call, text, or show up at your door to sell you a plan or ask for your Medicare number.
- The Annual Enrollment Period runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, and scammers use that window to pressure seniors into quick decisions.
- If you suspect fraud in Warwick or anywhere in Kent County, call Rhode Island's SHIP (POINT) or the Senior Medicare Patrol before sharing any information.
- Real 2027 program changes — like the $2,400 Part D out-of-pocket cap — are easy to confirm at Medicare.gov, so you don't have to trust a stranger's word.
The good news: most of these scams share a few telltale signs. Once you know what to look for in Warwick — and where to turn if something feels off — you can protect your Medicare number, your bank account, and your coverage.
Why enrollment season is scam season
Between mid-October and early December, Warwick households get a wave of Medicare mail, robocalls, and TV commercials. Scammers know this. They blend in with the noise, hoping you'll assume their call is just one more piece of the enrollment shuffle.
Warwick is in Kent County, where dozens of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans were available for 2026; the 2027 lineup is in each plan's ANOC and on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. That's a lot of legitimate marketing — and a lot of cover for bad actors. If a caller sounds rushed, threatening, or too good to be true, that's your first clue to hang up.
The most common scams to watch for this fall
"We need to verify your Medicare number." No one from Medicare will call you to confirm your number. If you give it out, it can be used for billing fraud that may affect your future coverage.
Fake "new Medicare card" calls. Some scammers claim a plastic or chip-enabled card is coming and they need your information to send it. Medicare cards are still paper, and Medicare mails them without a phone call.
Free gifts, groceries, or gift cards for signing up. Under Medicare's marketing rules, plans cannot offer cash or gifts of significant value to get you to enroll. If someone dangles a prize, walk away.
Door-to-door "agents." Licensed agents are not allowed to show up at your Warwick home uninvited to pitch a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. If they do, that alone is a red flag.
Pressure to switch plans "before it's too late." A real agent will explain your options and let you take time. A scammer wants a yes today.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Kent County
(MA penetration in Kent County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
Real 2027 changes scammers may twist
Fraudsters often wrap their pitch around real news. Here's what's actually changing so you can spot the spin:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
- Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- Coverage gap ("donut hole"): Eliminated as of 2025. Part D now has three phases.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: An optional way to spread your drug costs across the year in monthly payments.
- IRMAA income surcharges: Begin above $109,000 for single filers in 2026.
If a caller claims one of these facts requires you to give up your Medicare number or pay a fee, that's the scam. None of these program changes require you to do anything by phone.
How to protect yourself in Warwick
Treat your Medicare number like a credit card. Only share it with your doctor, your pharmacist, Medicare itself, or a plan you've chosen to work with.
Check every Medicare Summary Notice or plan Explanation of Benefits. If you see a service, test, or piece of equipment you don't recognize, report it. Fraud sometimes shows up months later as strange charges.
Write down the name, phone number, and company of anyone who contacts you about Medicare. If it turns out to be a scam, that information helps investigators.
And if you're not sure whether a call, letter, or in-person visit is legitimate, pause. A real agent or a real Medicare representative will not punish you for taking a day to check.
Where to turn for help
- Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for official answers about your coverage.
- Rhode Island SHIP (POINT): Free, unbiased counseling for Warwick and Kent County residents.
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): The go-to resource for reporting suspected Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse.
- Rhode Island Attorney General's Consumer Protection Unit: For scams involving payment or identity theft.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Explore
The parts of Medicare
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Will Medicare ever call me during open enrollment?
Is it a scam if someone offers me a gift card to enroll in a plan?
What should I do if I already gave out my Medicare number?
Can a licensed agent knock on my door in Warwick without an appointment?
- Medicare.gov / Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) fraud resources
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Warwick
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This page was last updated: September 29, 2026.