Medicare Part D
Medicare Scams Spike Before Dec. 7: Bismarck's Guide
BISMARCK, N.D. — Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, and along with the flood of legitimate mailers and TV ads comes a quieter surge: scam calls, fake "Medicare agents" at the door, and text messages designed to steal your Medicare number. Federal officials and the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) say fraud complaints climb sharply during these eight weeks, because scammers know you're expecting to hear about your coverage.
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Key takeaways
- Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period runs from October 15 through December 7, and scam calls, texts, and door visits tend to spike during this time.
- Medicare will never call, text, or show up at your door uninvited, so any such contact claiming to be from Medicare is a scam.
- Plan availability in Burleigh County is set by CMS at the county level, so it's the same for every resident, meaning claims that a plan is "only available in your ZIP code today" are just a pressure tactic.
- If you get a suspicious call, hang up, write down the details, and report it to the Senior Medicare Patrol through the North Dakota SHIC program at 1-888-575-6611.
Bismarck seniors, watch your phones through Dec. 7
Here's how to spot the tricks circulating this season — and how to make smart, calm decisions before the deadline.
Why enrollment season is prime time for scams
Between mid-October and early December, you may be comparing Part D drug plans, looking at Medicare Advantage, or reviewing changes in Original Medicare. Scammers use the noise as cover. They may claim they're calling about your "new 2027 Medicare card," a "flex card," or a "refund" tied to the new $2,400 Part D out-of-pocket cap that takes effect in 2027. None of those calls are from Medicare.
Medicare will not call, text, or show up at your door uninvited. Real notices arrive by mail — for example, the Annual Notice of Change from your current plan, or the official "Medicare & You" handbook.
Five red flags to memorize
Keep this short list near the phone:
- "I need your Medicare number to confirm your file." Never give it out to an unsolicited caller. Your Medicare number is as sensitive as a Social Security number.
- "You'll lose coverage if you don't act today." Real Medicare rules don't work that way. AEP has a clear deadline (Dec. 7), and nothing legitimate requires you to decide in five minutes.
- "We're offering a new government benefit card." There is no generic federal "flex card." Some Medicare Advantage plans include extra benefits, but no one from Medicare itself is handing out cards.
- A stranger at your door in a Medicare-branded shirt. Licensed agents are not allowed to show up uninvited. That's a CMS marketing rule, not a suggestion.
- Free gifts, meals, or gift cards to enroll. Also prohibited under Medicare's marketing rules.
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 Burleigh County
(MA penetration in Burleigh 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 in 2027 (so you can't be bluffed)
Scammers count on confusion about new rules. Here's the honest picture:
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 for 2026, up from $2,000 in 2025.
- The Part D deductible maximum is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- The old coverage gap (the "donut hole") is gone as of 2025 — Part D now has three phases.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly installments. It's optional and free to opt into; anyone charging a "signup fee" is scamming you.
- IRMAA surcharges (higher Part B and Part D premiums for higher incomes) start above $109,000 for a single filer in 2026.
If a caller's story doesn't line up with these facts, hang up.
Bismarck-specific: know your local landscape
Bismarck is in Burleigh County, where plan availability is set at the county level by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. That means the number of Medicare Advantage plans, Part D plans, and participating carriers is the same for every Burleigh County resident — not just those inside Bismarck city limits. If someone tells you a plan is "only available in your ZIP code today," that's a pressure tactic, not how Medicare works.
You can verify what's genuinely offered in Burleigh County using the Plan Finder at Medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
What to do if something feels off
1. Stop talking. You don't owe a caller an explanation. Hang up. 2. Write it down. Note the date, time, phone number, and what was said. 3. Report it. In North Dakota, contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) through the North Dakota State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program at 1-888-575-6611. SHIC also provides free, unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling — it is not selling anything. 4. Guard your Medicare number the same way you guard your bank card. If you think it's been compromised, call 1-800-MEDICARE.
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
Is Medicare sending out new cards for 2027?
Someone knocked on my door in Bismarck claiming to be from Medicare. Is that legit?
Do I have to switch plans every year during AEP?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.