Open enrollment is a busy time—especially if you’re shopping for health insurance, comparing plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace at healthcare.gov, or reviewing Medicare coverage. Unfortunately, scammers are busy, too. They know people are looking for savings and trying to make decisions before enrollment deadlines.
Scammers use calls, texts, emails, social media ads, websites, and fake government representatives to steal money or sensitive information. The good news? A few simple habits—slowing down, verifying claims, and starting with official sources—can greatly reduce your risk.
What are open enrollment scams?
Open enrollment scams exploit the annual periods when people choose or change health coverage, typically in the fall and winter. A scammer may pose as a representative of Medicare, the Health Insurance Marketplace, an insurance company, or another government agency.
Their goal is often to steal your:
- Social Security number
- Medicare number
- Health insurance information
- Credit or debit card details
- Bank account or health savings account (HSA) information
- Other personal information that could be used for identity theft
Other scams try to sell you a plan that isn’t what the salesperson claims. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that dishonest marketers may advertise comprehensive health insurance while offering a medical discount plan or a plan with limited benefits. Some fraudulent offers provide little or no meaningful coverage.
Common open enrollment scams to watch out for
Fake health insurance scams
You may see an online ad promising unusually cheap health insurance or attractive enrollment perks. Be cautious if it highlights free products, gift cards, grocery money, or other incentives but says little about the coverage itself. Find out whether the seller is offering health insurance or something else. Medical discount plans may offer legitimate savings on certain services, but they’re not insurance and don’t replace health coverage. Get the details in writing and confirm that your doctors participate before you pay or enroll.
Fake Medicare representatives
Scammers may call or message you claiming to represent Medicare. They may say you must share your Medicare or Social Security number to receive a new card, keep your coverage, or unlock new benefits. Medicare will not call you uninvited to ask for personal information, demand payment, or threaten to cancel your benefits. If a call feels suspicious, hang up and contact Medicare directly.
Don’t trust caller ID alone. Scammers can manipulate caller ID data to make a call appear to come from a government agency or another trusted organization.
Fake Marketplace websites and ads
Scammers create websites and ads that resemble legitimate government resources, often using official-looking logos and language. When shopping for Marketplace coverage, start at healthcare.gov instead of clicking an unfamiliar ad or search result.
For 2027 coverage, Marketplace Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. Enroll by December 15th for coverage that generally starts January 1st. Enroll from December 16th through January 15th for coverage that generally starts February 1st.
Fake enrollment assistance
You don’t have to pay someone to help you enroll through the Health Insurance Marketplace. Free help is available from trained people and organizations through healthcare.gov’s local-help directory. End the conversation if someone says you must pay a fee, send cryptocurrency, or provide card information just to enroll or keep Marketplace coverage.
7 warning signs of an open enrollment scam
Watch for these seven warning signs when evaluating a health insurance offer:
- They pressure you to act immediately. Legitimate coverage decisions leave room for questions and research.
- They unexpectedly ask for sensitive information. Don’t share your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank information, or payment details simply because someone contacted you.
- They promise unusually large savings or benefits. Be wary when an offer focuses on giveaways or dramatic discounts instead of clearly explaining coverage.
- They won’t provide information in writing. Ask for the plan’s benefits, limitations, costs, and other important details before enrolling.
- They claim to represent the government and demand payment. Government impersonation is a common health insurance scam tactic.
- They use an unfamiliar website or phone number. Verify the organization independently by visiting its official website rather than relying on contact information in an unsolicited message or ad.
- They say you’ll lose coverage unless you enroll immediately. Manufactured urgency is one of a scammer’s favorite tactics.
Before you enroll or pay, research the company, compare plans, verify claims independently, and contact your healthcare providers to confirm that they accept the plan.
How to avoid open enrollment scams
1. Start with the official source
For Marketplace health insurance, go directly to healthcare.gov to compare plans, check eligibility, and enroll. You can also call the Marketplace Call Center at 800.318.2596.
For Medicare, go directly to medicare.gov or call 800.MEDICARE (800.633.4227).
Don’t assume the first search result, AI answer, or advertisement is an official government website.
2. Slow down before you share information
Scammers want you to decide before you have time to think. If an unexpected call, email, text, or ad asks for personal information, pause—even if the message sounds urgent or alarming.
Don’t use the phone number or link in the message. Instead, find the organization’s official website and contact it through a verified channel.
3. Get details in writing
Before enrolling in a plan, find out exactly what you’re buying. Review its benefits, limitations, costs, deductibles, copayments, and provider network. If someone won’t provide documentation or keeps giving vague answers, end the conversation and look elsewhere.
4. Verify providers
If an insurance or discount plan claims that your doctor, hospital, or other healthcare provider participates, don’t simply take the salesperson’s word for it. Contact the provider directly and ask whether the plan is accepted and what services are covered.
5. Don’t let deadlines override judgment
Open enrollment has real deadlines, but scammers invent fake ones, too. For Marketplace coverage, use healthcare.gov’s official enrollment dates and deadlines. Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15th through December 7th each year.
What to do if you shared information with a scammer
If you think you’ve given personal or financial information to a scammer:
- Contact your credit union or bank immediately if you shared payment information.
- Monitor your bank accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity and consider freezing your credit.
- Contact your insurer or the relevant government program using a verified phone number or official website.
- Report suspected fraud to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Report Medicare-related scams to Medicare at 800.MEDICARE (800.633.4227).
Stay safe during open enrollment
Open enrollment can be confusing enough without scammers adding to the noise. Keep it simple: slow down, verify every offer, end suspicious conversations, and go directly to official sources before sharing information or making a payment.
