Medicare 2026

How Sandy residents can spot Medicare enrollment scams

SANDY, Utah — Your Medicare number is a lot like your Social Security number. Once someone else has it, they can use it to bill Medicare for services you never got — and that can cause real headaches for you and for the program. The good news: a few simple habits can keep your number safe and help you spot fraud early.

Why your Medicare number matters

Your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) is the 11-character code on your red, white, and blue Medicare card. Scammers want it because it unlocks billing. If a bad actor gets your number, they can submit fake claims for equipment, tests, or services — and those charges show up on your record, not theirs.

Sandy is in Salt Lake County, where dozens of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are offered each year. That means legitimate outreach does happen during shopping season. But real plans and real Medicare representatives follow strict rules about how they can contact you.

Common scams to watch for

Fraud tactics change, but the playbook is familiar. Be cautious if someone:

• Calls out of the blue offering "free" genetic testing, back braces, knee braces, or diabetic supplies.
• Says they're from "Medicare" and needs to "verify" or "update" your number.
• Offers a gift card, cash, or a prize in exchange for your Medicare information.
• Pressures you to act immediately or threatens to cancel your coverage.
• Shows up at your door claiming to represent Medicare.

Medicare does not make unsolicited calls or house visits to sell you anything or to ask for your number. If it feels off, hang up.

Simple steps to guard your number

You don't need to be a tech expert to protect yourself. Try these habits:

• Keep your card in a safe place. Carry it only when you need it for an appointment.
• Share it only with trusted providers. That includes your doctor, hospital, pharmacist, and insurer.
• Never give it out over the phone unless you placed the call to a number you trust.
• Shred paperwork that shows your Medicare number before throwing it away.
• Create a MyMedicare.gov account so you can review claims online any time.

How to spot fraud on your statements

Every three months, Original Medicare mails a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). Medicare Advantage members get an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from their plan. Read them. Look for:

• Services or equipment you didn't receive.
• Duplicate charges for the same visit.
• A provider name you don't recognize.
• Dates when you weren't at that clinic.

Even small odd charges are worth a call. Fraud often starts small before it grows.

What to do if something looks wrong

First, don't panic. Mistakes happen, and not every error is fraud. Start by calling the provider's billing office — sometimes it's a coding slip that they can fix quickly.

If the charge still looks wrong, or if you believe someone is misusing your number, contact:

• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — available 24/7.
• Your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). Utah's SMP offers free, confidential help investigating suspected fraud. You can find it through smpresource.org.
• The HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or oig.hhs.gov.

If your card is lost or stolen, Medicare can issue you a new number in serious cases.

A note on enrollment season

Fraud attempts often climb during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (Jan. 1 – March 31). Agents can market plans, but they must follow CMS rules — no unsolicited door knocks, no cold calls, no gifts tied to enrollment. If someone breaks those rules, that's a red flag, not a deal.

The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. The maximum Part D deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027. The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan continues to let you spread drug costs across the year. Knowing the real numbers makes it easier to recognize a fake "special offer."