Angelene recently shared a Medicare.gov fraud reminder with our team, and its message is worth passing along: be careful with unwanted contact, protect your personal information, and report anything suspicious.
At HomeTown Insurance & Financial Services, we want you to feel comfortable asking questions before making decisions. Whether you’re reviewing your own coverage or helping a parent, you have a familiar team to turn to here in Pagosa Springs.
A quick reminder about Medicare Open Enrollment in 2026
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7, 2026. It is the annual opportunity to review and make certain changes to Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1, 2027.
If you’re new to Medicare, your enrollment timeline may be different. Let us know where you are in the process so we can help you understand your next step.
You don’t have to answer every Medicare call. Give yourself time to verify who’s asking before you share.
Medicare scam warning signs to watch for
A Medicare.gov reminder warns that scammers may pretend to represent Medicare or an insurance company to steal information, or even enroll someone in a plan without their knowledge.
Be cautious when someone:
- Contacts you unexpectedly and asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or financial information.
- Says you must pay for a new or updated Medicare card.
- Pressures you to make an immediate coverage decision.
- Sends an unfamiliar link and asks you to enter sensitive information.
A caller who sounds professional still needs to be verified. Even caller ID can be faked. If something feels off, end the conversation and reach the organization through a number you find independently.
Five simple ways to protect yourself
1. You can end an unwanted conversation
You don’t have to stay on an unexpected call, reply to an unfamiliar text, or open a link in an unsolicited email. Give yourself room to check the message through a trusted source.
2. Be thoughtful about sharing your Medicare number
Keep your Medicare card and number protected. Share them only with people who have a legitimate need, such as your healthcare providers or verified insurance professionals helping with your coverage. An unexpected request is a reason to pause.
3. Know what legitimate plan contact looks like
Medicare Advantage and drug plan representatives generally cannot call you without permission, although existing plan membership and agent relationships can allow contact. They cannot come to your home uninvited to sell a plan or pressure you to sign before you’re ready.
You should understand who you’re speaking with, what you’ve agreed to discuss, and what any enrollment form authorizes. Asking for clarification is always a reasonable step.
4. Review your Medicare statements
Look for services or supplies you don’t recognize. If a charge seems wrong, ask the provider about it. Checking your statements helps you spot errors and possible misuse of your information.
5. Choose your own starting point for help
Visit Medicare’s official plan comparison tool yourself, or contact an agency you know using its published contact information.
If you’d like a person to walk through your questions with you, connect directly with HomeTown. Start with a conversation about what you need help understanding.
Your doctors, prescriptions, and questions should guide your coverage review. Start with what matters to you.
What to do if you suspect Medicare fraud
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report suspected Medicare fraud, including concerns about someone using your Medicare number or enrolling you without your permission.
Write down what happened, and keep relevant messages or paperwork. Medicare’s fraud reporting page explains where to report concerns. You can also report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
If you already shared information, reach out promptly. These situations can happen to anyone; asking for help is the next useful step.
Angelene, Cassidy, and the HomeTown team are here to help you understand your options; you stay in charge of your coverage decisions.
Get Medicare guidance from people you can reach
Sorting through coverage information is easier when you can ask a follow-up question and talk through what matters to you.
Angelene, Cassidy, and the HomeTown team can help you organize those questions, understand enrollment timing, and review coverage options. We encourage people in Colorado and New Mexico to contact our Pagosa Springs office to discuss their needs.
Before your conversation, jot down your doctors, prescriptions, preferred pharmacy, and anything that has changed about your healthcare needs. Have your current plan information handy, too. Those details give us a practical starting point for reviewing the year ahead.
Our team serves as your guide; you stay involved in the decisions about your coverage. HomeTown is an independent insurance agency, separate from Medicare and the federal government.
For more help getting started, read Medicare Help in Pagosa Springs: 7 Questions People Ask Us All Year, or browse our Medicare information and resources.
Ready to review your Medicare questions for 2027? Call HomeTown at (970) 264-4321, call toll-free at 1-866-333-8342, or request a conversation with our team.
You can also find official enrollment information through Medicare.gov. Take a little time to verify who you’re talking to, ask the questions that matter, and move forward with a clearer picture of your choices.
