Medicare Part D
Medicare Scams Spike Before Dec. 7 — How Lafayette Can Fight Back
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, and every year that six-week window brings a spike in scam calls, texts, and door knocks across Acadiana. Fraudsters know seniors are thinking about drug plans and Medicare Advantage right now, and they use that urgency to push people into sharing personal information they should keep private.
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Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7, and scam calls, texts, and door knocks tend to spike during this window.
- Scammers are using real Part D changes, like the out-of-pocket cap on drug costs, as bait, even though the cap applies automatically and does not require sharing personal information.
- Watch out for common scams, including fake "new Medicare card" calls, requests to "verify" your Medicare number or bank details, uninvited door-to-door agents, "free" medical equipment offers, and enrollment texts, since Medicare does not contact people this way.
- Medicare Advantage, Part D, and Medigap plan choices are set at the parish or county level and listed on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder for the entire enrollment period, so claims of "limited-time" local deals are a red flag.
Lafayette, La. — Scam calls surge as the Dec. 7 deadline nears
This fall the stakes are a little higher. Part D changes continue into 2027 — the out-of-pocket cap on drug costs rises to $2,400 — and scammers are using those real headlines as bait. Here is what Lafayette residents should watch for, and where to turn for real help.
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 Lafayette County
(MA penetration in Lafayette 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.
What's actually changing for 2027 (and why scammers are using it)
Understanding the real changes makes it easier to spot a lie. For 2027:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 per year in 2026 and $2,400 per year in 2027. Once your covered drug costs hit that number, you pay nothing more for covered drugs for the rest of the calendar year.
- Part D deductible: capped at $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- No more "donut hole." The old coverage gap was eliminated in 2025. Part D now has three phases instead of four.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: an optional program that lets you spread drug costs into monthly payments instead of paying a big bill at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA: higher-income surcharges on Part B and Part D begin above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026.
Scammers are calling people and saying things like, "You have to re-enroll because of the new out-of-pocket cap" or "I need your Medicare number to sign you up for the payment plan." Neither is true. The cap applies automatically. The payment plan is opt-in and free — no one needs to "sell" it to you.
Five scams making the rounds this enrollment season
1. The "new Medicare card" call. There is no new card for 2027. If someone says yours is expiring or needs upgrading to a "plastic" or "chip" card, hang up.
2. Fake plan "verification" calls. A caller claims to be from Medicare, asks you to "verify" your Medicare number, date of birth, or bank account. Medicare will not call you out of the blue and ask for that information.
3. Door-to-door agents. Under CMS marketing rules, licensed agents are not allowed to show up at your home uninvited. If someone knocks claiming to be from Medicare, they aren't.
4. Free brace, DNA test, or diabetic supply offers. These robocalls and booths at events are almost always fronts for billing fraud in your name. Never give your Medicare number in exchange for "free" equipment.
5. Texts about the drug cap or the payment plan. Medicare doesn't text you enrollment links. Don't tap.
What plan availability actually looks like here
Lafayette is in Lafayette Parish, where Medicare plan choices — Medicare Advantage, standalone Part D, and Medigap — are set at the parish/county level, not the city level. That means two neighbors on the same street have the same menu of options, but a friend in Baton Rouge or Lake Charles may see a different set.
If a caller pressures you with, "This plan is only available in Lafayette for 48 hours," that's a red flag. Real plan options are listed publicly on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder, and they're available for the full enrollment window.
How to protect yourself (and someone you love)
- Guard your Medicare number the same way you guard your Social Security number. Only your doctor, pharmacist, insurer, or 1-800-MEDICARE needs it.
- Never say "yes" on a recorded call to someone you didn't call. Scammers splice that audio.
- Hang up and call back using the number on the back of your Medicare card or on Medicare.gov.
- Write down the caller's info — name, number, what they said — before you report it.
- Talk to a neutral counselor. Louisiana's SHIIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) offers free, unbiased help. Reach them through the Louisiana Department of Insurance or by calling 1-800-259-5300.
- Report suspected fraud to Louisiana's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-877-272-8720. They investigate Medicare scams and won't try to sell you anything.
Higher-income surcharges
IRMAA income brackets
If your income is above a threshold, you pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) on top of your Part B and Part D premiums. The 2026 brackets below are based on your 2024 tax return. CMS publishes the 2027 Part B figures and IRMAA brackets later in the fall.
| Income — single filer | Income — married, joint | Part B monthly premium | Part D surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | Plan premium only |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 | + $14.50 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 | + $37.40 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $527.50 | + $60.40 |
| $205,001 – $500,000 | $410,001 – $750,000 | $649.30 | + $83.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.90 | + $91.00 |
Standard Part B premium is $202.90/month. Part D surcharges are added to your drug plan’s premium. Married-filing-separately uses a different, compressed schedule. Confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
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.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Will Medicare ever call me first?
Someone told me I have to re-enroll for 2027 because of the drug cap. True?
I already gave out my Medicare number. Now what?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.