Online Safety and Privacy
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Open Enrollment Scams: How to Spot and Avoid Health Insurance Fraud
Open enrollment scams use fake insurance offers, Medicare impersonation, scammy ads, and requests for personal info to target people shopping for health coverage.
Open enrollment is a busy time for many of us, especially anyone shopping for health insurance, looking at the HealthCare.gov marketplace, or reviewing Medicare coverage. Unfortunately, it is also a busy time for scammers. They know that people are comparing plans, seeking out savings, and trying to meet tight enrollment deadlines.
Scammers use phone calls, text messages, emails, social media ads, websites, or even fake government representatives to convince you to hand over money or sensitive information. But if you know what to look for, tell yourself to slow down and verify information, and use official sources, you can significantly reduce your chances of getting scammed.
What are open enrollment scams?
Open enrollment scams take advantage of the annual health insurance enrollment period, typically in the fall and winter. A scammer may pretend to represent Medicare, the Health Insurance Marketplace, an insurance company, or another government agency.
The goal of scammers can include stealing your:
Social Security number
Medicare number
Health insurance information
Credit or debit card information
Bank account information or HSA account information
Other personal information that could be used for identity theft
Some scams have a different goal: selling you a plan that isn't what the salesperson claims. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that dishonest marketers may advertise comprehensive health insurance when they are actually offering a medical discount plan or a health plan with limited benefits. Some fraudulent offers may not provide meaningful coverage at all.
Common open enrollment scams to watch for
Fake health insurance offers
You may see an online ad promising unusually cheap health insurance or attractive perks for enrolling. Be cautious if the advertisement emphasizes free products, gift cards, grocery money, or other incentives while providing few details about the actual coverage. Research whether they are selling health insurance or something else. Medical discount plans can provide legitimate discounts on certain services, but they are not health insurance and are not a substitute for health coverage. Get the details in writing and check whether your doctors participate before paying or enrolling.
Fake Medicare representatives
Scammers may call or message you claiming to be from Medicare. They might say you need to provide your Medicare number or Social Security number to receive a new card, keep your coverage, or access new benefits. Medicare will never unexpectedly call you and demand sensitive information or payment because your coverage is supposedly about to disappear. Hang up and contact Medicare directly if you receive a suspicious call.
Caller ID isn't proof that a call is legitimate, because hackers 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 can create websites and advertisements that look like legitimate government resources. Some may use official-looking logos or language designed to make you think you're dealing with the government. When shopping for Marketplace coverage, start at HealthCare.gov rather than clicking an unfamiliar advertisement or search result.
For the 2027 coverage year, Marketplace Open Enrollment runs from November 1, 2026, through January 15, 2027. Enrolling by December 15 generally allows coverage to begin January 1; enrolling between December 16 and January 15 generally means coverage begins February 1.
Fake enrollment assistance
You don't have to pay someone to help you enroll through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace offers free assistance through trained people and organizations. Use HealthCare.gov's local-help directory to find assistance. End contact if someone claims you must pay a fee, provide cryptocurrency, or hand over your credit or debit card information just to enroll or maintain Marketplace coverage.
Warning signs of an open enrollment scam
A health insurance offer deserves extra scrutiny if someone:
Pressures you to act immediately. Legitimate coverage decisions don't require you to ignore basic questions or skip research.
Asks for sensitive information unexpectedly. Don't provide your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank information, or payment details simply because someone contacted you.
Promises unusually large savings or benefits. Be especially careful when an offer focuses on a giveaway or dramatic discount rather than explaining coverage. Is it too good to be true?
Won't provide information in writing. Ask for the plan's benefits, limitations, costs, and other important details before enrolling.
Claims to be from the government and demands payment. Government impersonation is a common tactic in health insurance scams.
Uses an unfamiliar website or phone number. Verify the organization independently (for example, by going directly to the organization's official website) instead of relying on contact information from an unsolicited message or advertisement.
Says you must enroll immediately to avoid losing coverage. Urgency is one of a scammer’s favorite manipulation tactics.
Research companies, review plans, check claims independently, and contact healthcare providers directly to confirm whether they accept your plan before enrolling or paying.
How to avoid open enrollment scams
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 1-800-318-2596.
For Medicare, go directly to Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Don't assume the first search result, AI answer, or advertisement is an official government website.
Slow down before you share information
Scammers want you to decide before you think. If an unexpected call, email, text, or advertisement asks for personal information, stop. Even if they make you scared!
Instead of using the phone number or link they gave you, find the organization's official website and contact them through a verified channel.
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.
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.
Don't let deadlines override judgment
Open enrollment has real deadlines, but scammers can manufacture fake ones, too. For Marketplace coverage, HealthCare.gov provides the official enrollment period and deadlines. Medicare's annual Open Enrollment Period runs October 15 through December 7.
What if you already gave information to a scammer?
If you think you've given personal or financial information to a scammer:
Contact your bank or other financial institution if you provided payment info
Monitor bank accounts and credit reports for suspicious activity – also freeze your credit!
Contact your insurer (or related government program), and always use a verified phone number or website
Report the suspected fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and Medicare-related scams can be reported to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE
Enroll safe online!
Open enrollment is confusing enough without scammers adding another layer of nuttiness. The safest approach is simple: slow down, verify offers, hang up on anyone acting suspicious, and go directly to the official source before sharing information or paying anyone. For more online safety tips, sign up for our email newsletter!
Open enrollment scam FAQs
How do I know if a health insurance offer is a scam?
Be cautious if someone pressures you to enroll immediately, asks for sensitive information unexpectedly, demands payment for free enrollment assistance, or won't provide clear information. Verify the offer through an official source.
Can someone call me to help me enroll in health insurance?
Legitimate agents, brokers, and Marketplace assisters can help people enroll, but you should verify who you're dealing with. Marketplace assisters provide free help, while agents and brokers may represent only the plans they sell.
Are medical discount plans the same as health insurance?
No. Medical discount plans may provide discounts on certain healthcare services, but they are not health insurance.
Does Medicare call people about open enrollment?
Generally, no. Be cautious about unsolicited calls claiming to be from Medicare. If you're unsure about a call, hang up and contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.
