Medicare 2026

Medicare Scam Warnings for Galveston Enrollment Season

GALVESTON, Texas — Your Medicare number is as valuable as your Social Security number, credit card, or bank account information. In the wrong hands, it can be used to bill Medicare for services you never received — and that hurts you and the program you paid into.

The good news: a few simple habits can keep your number safe and help you spot scams before they cost you. Here's what folks on the island (and anywhere in Galveston County) should know.

Treat Your Medicare Card Like Cash

Medicare will never call, text, email, or knock on your door asking for your Medicare number. If someone does, that's a red flag.

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

• Only share your Medicare number with people you trust — your doctor, pharmacist, hospital, insurer, or a state-licensed helper.
• Carry your card only when you need it. Keep it at home the rest of the time.
• Never post a photo of your card online, even a "just got my Medicare!" celebration picture.
• Shred old statements and any paperwork with your Medicare number on it.

If your card is lost or stolen, you can order a free replacement at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Know the Scams That Are Circulating

Scammers change their pitch, but the setup is usually the same: they create urgency, promise something free, or pretend to be from a government agency. Common ones to watch for:

• "Free" braces, genetic tests, or medical equipment. Callers offer a back brace, DNA test, or diabetic supplies at "no cost" — all they need is your Medicare number.
• Fake plan agents. Someone claims your current coverage is ending and pressures you to sign up on the spot.
• "New Medicare card" calls. Medicare is not issuing new cards or charging fees for them.
• Hurricane and disaster scams. After storms hit the Gulf Coast, fake "recovery helpers" sometimes ask seniors for personal information. Real disaster aid workers won't ask for your Medicare number.

If the pitch feels rushed or too good to be true, hang up. You can always call back through a number you find yourself on Medicare.gov.

Read Your Medicare Statements — Every Time

The single best fraud-catcher is you.

Every three months (or anytime you log in at Medicare.gov), you'll get a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) if you have Original Medicare, or an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) if you're in a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. These list what was billed in your name.

Look for:

• Services or equipment you didn't receive.
• Doctors or clinics you don't recognize.
• The same service billed more than once.
• Dates when you weren't at the doctor.

Keep a simple calendar or notebook of your medical visits so you can compare. It sounds old-fashioned, but it works.

What to Do If Something Looks Wrong

If you spot a charge that doesn't add up, don't panic — and don't ignore it.

1. Call the provider's billing office first. Sometimes it's a coding mistake. 2. If it still looks like fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or report it at Medicare.gov/fraud. 3. Contact the Texas Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-888-341-6187. SMP counselors are trained specifically to investigate suspected Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse — and the service is free. 4. For personalized help with your coverage, reach the Texas Health Information, Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) — the state's SHIP — at 1-800-252-9240.

Reporting matters even if you're not sure. Patterns show up when several people report the same scheme.

A Quick Note on Local Coverage Context

Galveston is in Galveston County, where a range of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered each year. That variety is a good thing, but it also means scammers sometimes pose as agents from real-sounding companies during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 – March 31). Legitimate agents will never ask for your Medicare number over an unsolicited call.

2027 Numbers Worth Knowing (So Scammers Can't Confuse You)

Scammers often invent "new fees" or "new rules." Here are the real ones:

• Part D out-of-pocket drug costs are capped at $2,100 in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) for the year.
• The Part D deductible can be no more than $615 in 2026 ($700 in 2027).
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap has been eliminated since 2025 — Part D now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly amounts, at no extra charge.
• IRMAA income-based surcharges start above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026.

If someone quotes numbers that don't match these, be skeptical.