The Medicare enrollment period begins Saturday, and a local leader warns this also means a new wave of scams will begin to target seniors.

Medicare is federal health insurance for those 65 and older, or younger people with disabilities. Open enrollment period runs from Saturday to Dec. 7. At this point in the year, one can join, switch or drop a plan, then coverage begins Jan. 1, 2023.

Austintown Senior Center Director Jim Henshaw said that while it is always important to know the signs of scams, it’s especially important for seniors to be aware at this time in the year.

In 1977, the Medicare / Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendment was adopted, which created a nationwide system of Medicaid Fraud Control Units. In 2021, the Ohio MFCU received 745 allegations of fraud and abuse, posted 183 indictments, 145 criminal convictions, 41 civil settlements and recovered more than $27 million in restitution and penalties, according to the attorney general’s website.

“The best rule to remember is Medicare will never call you,” Henshaw said. “If anyone calls and wants your Medicare number, just hang up.”

He said Medicare sends out mailings to get in contact with those who may qualify. Scammers are after personal information, such as Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers and bank account information. The Ohio Department of Insurance recommends never giving out this type of personal information to anyone who makes unsolicited contact by phone, email, text or in person, such as door-to-door sales.

ODI’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program counsels those who are enrolled in Medicare and can be contacted to verify the legitimacy of a caller. OSHIIP can be reached at 800-686-1578. To report fraud, one can call the Ohio MFCU at 614-466-0722, or fill out a form at ohioattorneygeneral.gov/reportmedicaidfraud.