Medicare 2026

Annual Enrollment Period in Clemmons: Medicare Oct 15–Dec 7

CLEMMONS, N.C. — Every fall, phones start ringing across the Triad with callers who sound helpful, official, and just a little pushy. Some claim to be from Medicare. Some say a "new 2027 benefit" will expire if you don't act today. Almost none of them are who they say they are.

With Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period running October 15 through December 7, scammers know seniors are paying attention to their coverage — and they use that to their advantage. Here's how to spot the most common enrollment-season tricks and protect your Medicare number, your money, and your peace of mind.

Why enrollment season is prime time for fraud

Fraudsters follow the calendar. When Medicare mails out the annual "Medicare & You" handbook and TV ads ramp up, criminals blend in with the noise. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a federally funded program that helps beneficiaries fight fraud, reports that call and text scams spike sharply between October and December.

The pitches change each year, but the goal is the same: get your Medicare number, your bank information, or a signature on something you didn't fully understand. A Medicare number is as valuable as a Social Security number on the black market — once it's out, it can be used for fake billing for months.

The scams making the rounds this fall

Watch for these patterns, which SMP and Medicare.gov have flagged repeatedly:

• The "new Medicare card" call. Someone says you need a new card for 2027 — plastic, chip-enabled, or tied to the Part D out-of-pocket cap. Medicare is not issuing new cards, and no legitimate representative will ask you to "verify" your number over the phone.
• The fake agent at the door. A person shows up in Clemmons neighborhoods with a clipboard, claiming to be "from Medicare." Medicare does not send representatives door-to-door. Licensed agents cannot show up uninvited either.
• The "free" giveaway. Offers of free braces, genetic testing kits, diabetic supplies, or COVID tests in exchange for your Medicare number. The items are often never delivered — but Medicare gets billed anyway.
• The urgent text or robocall. "Press 1 to keep your benefits." Real Medicare communications come by mail. Press nothing, hang up.
• The look-alike website. Search ads that mimic Medicare.gov but lead to lead-generation forms. The only official site is medicare.gov — no dashes, no extras.

Rules real Medicare representatives follow

Knowing what's not allowed makes spotting a scam much easier. Under Medicare's marketing rules, legitimate agents and plans cannot:

• Call you out of the blue if you haven't given permission.
• Ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details to "confirm" enrollment on a cold call.
• Pressure you to sign up on the spot or say an offer expires today.
• Promise gifts, cash, or grocery cards in exchange for enrolling.
• Claim to be endorsed by Medicare or the federal government.

If any of those happen, that alone is a red flag worth reporting.

What's actually changing in 2027 — so scammers can't confuse you

Knowing the real facts makes it easier to spot the fake ones:

• Part D out-of-pocket cap: $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027.
• Part D maximum deductible: $615 for 2026 and $700 for 2027.
• Coverage gap ("donut hole"): Already eliminated as of 2025 — Part D now has three phases, not four.
• Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: An optional program that lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly payments. It's free to opt into through your Part D plan.
• IRMAA surcharges: Kick in above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.
• Deadlines: Annual Enrollment Period ends December 7. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment runs January 1 – March 31.

If a caller "explains" a rule that doesn't match this list, they're either mistaken or lying.

How to protect yourself in Clemmons

Clemmons is in Forsyth County, where beneficiaries have a healthy number of Medicare Advantage and Part D options to compare each year — and that variety is exactly what scammers exploit by pretending to represent "all of them." A few habits keep you safe:

1. Guard your Medicare number like a credit card. Only share it with your doctor, pharmacist, or 1-800-MEDICARE. 2. Check your Medicare Summary Notice or your MyMedicare.gov account for charges you don't recognize. 3. Never enroll under pressure. A real agent will give you time to read and think. 4. Get free, unbiased help. North Carolina's SHIP program — called SHIIP here — offers one-on-one counseling at no cost. Forsyth County residents can reach SHIIP through the NC Department of Insurance at 1-855-408-1212. 5. Report suspected fraud to the North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-408-1212 or to 1-800-MEDICARE.