Medicare Part D
Medicare Scams in Portland: Common Enrollment Tactics
PORTLAND, Ore. — Your red, white, and blue Medicare card is one of the most valuable pieces of paper in your wallet. Scammers know it, too. In recent years, the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) has fielded thousands of reports from older adults across Oregon who were pressured to hand over their Medicare number to strangers on the phone, at the door, or through slick online ads.
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Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- Never give your Medicare number to callers, door-to-door visitors, or online ads offering "free" devices, new cards, or plan savings, since Medicare never calls out of the blue asking for it.
- Scam calls often spike during the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15–Dec. 7) and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan. 1–March 31), so extra caution is needed during these windows.
- If you think your Medicare number has been misused, hang up right away and check your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice or your Medicare.gov account for services you don’t recognize.
- You can report suspected fraud for free by calling the Oregon Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-673-2372 or 1-800-MEDICARE, since even small reports help investigators spot and stop scams.
Portland seniors, your Medicare number is as valuable as a credit card
The good news: a few simple habits can keep you safe. Here's what to guard, what to watch for, and where to turn if something feels off.
Why your Medicare number matters so much
Think of your Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) — the 11-character code on your card — like a bank account number. If a fraudster gets it, they can bill Medicare for services or equipment you never received. That drives up costs for everyone and can tangle your medical records in ways that take months to sort out.
Portland is in Multnomah County, where dozens of Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are available during Annual Enrollment. That's a lot of legitimate marketing hitting mailboxes and phones each fall — and unfortunately, it gives scammers cover to blend in.
Who you can safely share your number with
Share your Medicare number only with:
- Your doctor, pharmacist, hospital, or other trusted provider
- Medicare itself (1-800-MEDICARE)
- Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor — in Oregon, that's SHIBA
- A licensed insurance agent you already know and have chosen to work with
If anyone else asks — including someone claiming to be from Medicare, a "new plan," or a government agency offering a "free" brace, genetic test, or DNA kit — treat it as a red flag. Medicare will not call you out of the blue asking for your number.
Common scams making the rounds
"We're issuing new Medicare cards." False. Medicare is not sending out new cards, and there is no plastic or chip-enabled replacement. If your card is lost, you can request a free replacement at Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
"You qualify for a free medical device." Braces, catheters, and continuous glucose monitors are frequently pitched by scam callers. They want your MBI to bill Medicare for equipment that may never arrive — or that you don't need.
"This plan will save you money — just confirm your number." During the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 – Dec. 7) and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan. 1 – March 31), fraudulent robocalls spike. Legitimate agents follow strict CMS rules; they cannot cold-call you if you haven't given permission.
"There's a problem with your account." Medicare doesn't threaten to cancel your benefits over the phone. Hang up.
Know the 2027 numbers — so nobody can bluff you
Scammers often invent "urgent" changes to pressure you. Here are the real, program-level facts for 2027:
- Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once you hit that, you pay nothing for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- Part D maximum deductible: $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027 (plans can set theirs lower).
- Coverage gap ("donut hole"): eliminated as of 2025. Part D now has three phases.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: an optional program that lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly payments.
- IRMAA surcharges: start above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.
If a caller tells you something that contradicts these figures, that alone is reason to hang up and verify with Medicare directly.
What to do if you think you've been targeted
1. Stop talking. You don't owe a caller an explanation. Just hang up. 2. Check your Medicare Summary Notice (mailed quarterly) or your account at Medicare.gov for services you didn't receive. 3. Call the Oregon Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-673-2372. SMP counselors help you review charges and report suspected fraud — for free. 4. Report to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you see billing you don't recognize.
Reporting matters even if you're not sure. Patterns from many small reports are how investigators shut scams down.
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 Multnomah County
(MA penetration in Multnomah 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.
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
Q: Someone called and knew my name and address. Doesn't that mean they're legitimate?
Q: I already gave my number away. What now?
Q: Is it safe to use my Medicare card at the pharmacy or doctor's office?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.