Tips for Upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment

For 2024 coverage, Open Enrollment will run from October 15 through December 7, 2023. Open Enrollment is the time of year when you can make certain changes to your Medicare coverage. The last change you make will take effect on January 1, 2024. Take action during Open Enrollment to make sure your coverage will meet your needs in 2024.

During Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period you may receive some soliciting phone calls. Some may be legitimate calls from your plan. However, scammers may take advantage of the Open Enrollment Period to try to steal your personal and/or medical identity information. Here are some tips about the upcoming open enrollment for 2024:

Medicare will not contact you to say that there has been suspicious activity on your card. Instead, find the organization’s contact information on your own (don’t use caller ID) and call or email them directly.

Be aware of texts from unknown numbers and avoid clicking on links.

Be aware of calls from unknown numbers and calls that are automated or sound robotic.

Look out for scammers who use social engineering. They may already have personal information when they call you and use that information to confirm this information, to obtain more, or to gain your trust.

Be aware of people who try to scare or threaten you or offer services or items that are “free” or seem too good to be true.

It is very important to compare the plans offered during the Open Enrollment. Ilinois SHIP counselors are an unbiased third party, who can help you by putting you in a plan that works for you! If you need help during annual enrollment and live in Illinois, you can find your local SHIP counselor here or call (800)252-8966.

September and October 2023 SMP Workshops

September 19, 2023, 11:00 am – Hanover Township SMP Bingo

Hanover Township (250 S Il Route 59 Bartlett, IL 60103)

September 20, 2023, at 10:00 am – Senior Fair

Rich Township Senior Services (297 Liberty Drive Park Forest, IL 60466)

September 21, 2023, 10:00 am – Schaumburg Meal Site SMP Bingo

The Barn (231 Civic Drive Schaumburg, IL 60193)

September 21, 2023, at 10:00 am – Senior Fair

Memorial Park (3105 Washington Blvd. Bellwood, Illinois 60104)

September 25, 2023, at 11:00 am – Senior Fair

Thorton Township Senior Services (1420 Huntington Dr, Calumet City, Illinois 60409)

September 27, 2023, 10:00 am – The Salvation Army SMP Bingo with Health Screenings by Alivio

The Salvation Army Cross Generations Worship and Community Center (2900 Burr Oak Ave, Blue Island, IL 60406)

September 28, 2023, at 10:00 am – Dolton Public Library Public Benefits and SMP Bingo

Dolton Public Library (14037 Lincoln Ave, Dolton, IL 60419)

October 3, 2023, at 2:00 pm - SMP Medicare Fraud Presentation + Bingo

Mt. Prospect Public Library Meeting Room A (10 S Emerson St. Mt. Prospect, IL 60056)

October 4, 2023, at 1:00 pm – SMP presentation with BINGO

Valley Kingdom Community Church (5217 w 149th St, Oak Forest, Illinois 60452)

October 6, 2023, at 11:00 am – SMP presentation with BINGO

Pav YMCA (2947 S. Oak Park Avenue, Berwyn, IL 60402)

October 11, 2023, at 11:00 am – Spanish SMP Bingo Group #1

LAMDA Community Center (6112 W Cermak Rd, Cicero, Illinois 60804)

October 18, 2023, at 11:00 am – SMP presentation with BINGO

William Leonard Public Library (13820 Central Park Ave, Robbins, IL 60472)

October 19, 2023, at 9:30 – SMP presentation

Casa Esperanza - 1115 N. 23rd Avenue, Melrose Park IL 60160

October 25, 2023, at 11:00 am – SMP presentation with BINGO

Hanover Township (250 S Il Route 59, Bartlett, IL 60103)

Have a wonderful week!

Travis Trumitch

travis.trumitch@ageoptions.org

Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you would like to sign up to receive the Fraud Alert directly, visit click here.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0036, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

The Illinois SMP at AgeOptions partners with agencies across the state to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

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