Interesting Excerpts: The Fraudian Slip (a quarterly publication from the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program)

Faith E. Delaney | October 14, 2026 | Medicare

Please enjoy the following excerpts of the Fraudian Slip, a quarterly publication from the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program:

A quarterly publication from the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program

October 2026 (vol. 2 no. 4)

Visit our website masmp.org

Be Alert for Deceptive Marketing During Open Enrollment!
Lucilia Prates,Program Director

Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15 and runs through December 7, 2026, giving Medicare beneficiaries an opportunity to review their health and prescription drug coverage and make changes effective January 1, 2027. The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program reminds beneficiaries that Open Enrollment is also a time when deceptive marketing and misleading enrollment practices escalate.

Each year, Medicare beneficiaries are inundated with advertisements, phone calls, mailers, television commercials, and online promotions promising “more benefits,” “zero-dollar plans,” “grocery benefits,” “money back in your pocket,” and much more. While many insurance agents and plans follow Medicare’s marketing rules, and even offer some of these benefits, ONE MUST QUALIFY. Beneficiaries should be extra cautious of anyone who uses high-pressure tactics, provides misleading or incomplete information, and/or requests personal information to influence an enrollment decision.

The MA SMP Program encourages Medicare beneficiaries to watch for warning signs of deceptive marketing, including:

· Unsolicited calls from someone claiming to be “from Medicare” and asking for a Medicare number or other personal information.
· Requests for a Medicare number outside of a trusted setting.
· Advertisements promising free or additional benefits without clearly explaining costs, eligibility requirements, or limitations.
· Pressure to enroll quickly or threats that a beneficiary could “lose benefits” by waiting.
· Claims that a particular insurance plan is “endorsed by Medicare.”

Medicare beneficiaries should never feel pressured to make an immediate decision about their healthcare coverage. Don’t rush! Take your time, ask questions, get a second opinion, and make sure you understand how this change will affect access to your doctors, prescriptions, out-of-pocket costs, and much more.

Enrolling in a plan based on misleading information can have serious consequences. Beneficiaries may discover that trusted physicians or hospitals are out of network, prescriptions are not covered, or they face unexpected out-of-pocket costs. In some cases, an improper enrollment can cause delays or denials in care.

Beneficiaries should treat their Medicare number like a credit card number and only provide it to trusted sources. They should also review their coverage every year, even if they are generally satisfied with their current plan, because costs, formularies, provider networks, and benefits can change.

Free, unbiased Medicare counseling is available through the Massachusetts SHINE Program. Beneficiaries can contact SHINE at (800) 243-4636 or by visiting
mass.gov/SHINE-program.

Anyone who believes they have experienced deceptive Medicare marketing, were enrolled in a plan without their permission, or has concerns about potential Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse should contact the Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program at (800) 892-0890 or by visiting in**@***mp.org.

Introducing the Fraud and Scams Prevention Coalition: A Countywide Partnership to Prevent Fraud and Healthcare Waste and Abuse

The Countywide Advisory Councils have been renamed! The MA SMP Program has been convening some iteration of these councils/meetings for almost two decades. The more recent reiteration brings together providers from across aging service delivery networks, medical, and other community-based stakeholders, from each of the fourteen counties in Massachusetts. The goal of these councils was to collectively advance and enhance outreach and education efforts to historically hard-to-reach populations, such as limited English proficient, rural, homebound, American Indian, or other marginalized communities.

The ultimate objective was to conduct and deliver culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and education to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries about the importance of being engaged healthcare consumers to better prevent, detect, and report healthcare errors, fraud, and abuse.

While reaching these communities and advancing visibility still remains a priority for the MA SMP Program, given the burgeoning of fraud activity and the increasing concerns and complaints shared at each of these venues, these meetings have recently taken on a new dimension. After extensive discussions with engaged participants and among the MA SMP Program staff, this coalition has been renamed to more accurately reflect its involved membership and evolved purpose.

The new name was suggested by and voted on by active participants. Thank you to all who participated in renaming this valuable initiative!

The Fraud and Scams Prevention Coalition Meets monthly at 2 pm on ZOOM as Follows:

· Worcester County: 1st Tuesday
· Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties: 1st Thursday
· Essex County: 2nd Tuesday
· Norfolk and Suffolk Counties: 3rd Tuesday
· Middlesex County: 3rd Thursday
· Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties: 4th Tuesday
· Bristol and Plymouth Counties: 4th Thursday

To receive an invitation to this coalition, please email ss*********@*****an.org or call (978) 946-1478.

Medicare Open Enrollment: Protect Yourself from Deceptive Marketing

Tabitha Kreyling, Complex Interaction Specialist

Medicare Open Enrollment is your opportunity to review your health and prescription drug coverage and make changes for the coming year. At the risk of sounding repetitive (see program director Lucilia Prates’ article on Open Enrollment at the beginning of this newsletter), the MA SMP Program feels this information is crucial to deliver to Massachusetts beneficiaries. While this is an important time to compare plans and benefits, it is also a time when Medicare beneficiaries may see an increase in advertisements, phone calls, and sales pitches promoting various health plans.

Not all marketing is honest or complete. Deceptive marketing occurs when an agent, broker, or company uses misleading information to influence your enrollment decision.

Before making any changes to your coverage, take time to compare your options and ask questions. Make sure your healthcare providers and prescription medications are covered, and understand any costs associated with the plan. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A trusted resource is the SHINE program, which can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Call (800) 243-4636 or go to mass.gov/SHINE-program.

Remember: Never feel pressured to make a Medicare decision on the spot. Taking a little extra time to review your options can help protect your healthcare coverage, your finances, and your peace of mind.

To contact Tabitha:

email: tk*******@*****an.org

direct line: (978) 406-4594

Volunteer with us!

The MA SMP Program seeks new volunteers to join our team to promote the mission of activating Medicare beneficiaries to prevent, detect, and report healthcare errors, fraud, and abuse. Volunteers play a vital role in this work – the successes of the MA SMP Program are attributable to the dedicated corps of team members. They support outreach events, deliver presentations, and assist beneficiaries with complaints. MA SMP volunteers make a real difference in their communities.

Volunteering with the MA SMP Program is a meaningful way to stay active, use your skills, and give back. By volunteering, you can help safeguard critical healthcare resources.

Interested in volunteering? Visit masmp.org or email ss*********@*****an.org for an application.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

All MA SMP presentations will cover preventing, detecting, and reporting Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse.

OCTOBER 2026

· Friday, October 2nd: Franklin Senior Expo 2026 10 am-1 pm
10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038
· Monday, October 5th: Walpole Center Health Fair 10 am-2 pm
60 South Street, Walpole, MA 02081
· Tuesday, October 6th: Westport Council on Aging 4 pm-6 pm
75 Reed Rd., Westport, MA 02790 (presenter: Dennis Hohengasser)
· Wednesday, October 7th: Salisbury Council on Aging 12 pm-1 pm
43 Lafayette Rd., Salisbury, MA 01952 (presenter: Gina Kelly)
· Monday, October 12th: Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day!
· Tuesday, October 13th: ETHOS SHINE 11 am-12 pm
ZOOM (presenter: Sara Sturdivant)
· Thursday, October 15th: Friends of Wellesley Council on Aging Health Fair 2026 10:30 am-2:30 pm 500 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02482
· Thursday, October 15th: Bristol Aging and Wellness 11:30 am-12:30 pm
2100 North Main St. Fall River, MA 02721 (presenter: Dennis Hohengasser)
· Friday, October 16th: Boston Public Library 2 pm-3 pm
700 Boylston St. Boston, MA 02116 (presenter: Dennis Hohengasser)
· Saturday, October 17th: Elder Expo at Nantucket High School 10 am-1 pm
Nantucket High School, 10 Surfside Rd., Nantucket, MA 02554
· Tuesday, October 20th: Salem Housing Authority – 27 Charter 11 am-12 pm
27 Charter Street, Salem, MA 01970 (presenter: Gina Kelly)
· Wednesday, October 21st-22nd: MCOA Conference 8 am–4 pm
Wellsworth Hotel, 14 Mechanic Street, Southbridge, MA
· Saturday, October 24th: Billerica Health and Wellness Fair 10 am-1 pm
Marshall Middle School 15 Floyd St., Billerica, MA 01821
· Monday, October 26th: Southampton Council on Aging 11:30 am–12:30 pm
210 College Highway, #3, Southampton, MA 01073 (presenter: Brad Hoffman)
· Wednesday, October 28th: Caswell Grove Elderly Housing 10 am-11 am
417 Middleboro Ave Taunton, MA 02780 (presenter: Dennis Hohengasser)

NOVEMBER 2026

· Wednesday, November 11th: Happy Veterans’ Day!
· Thursday, November 12th: Shillman House 2 pm–3 pm
49 Edmands Road, Framingham, MA 01701 (presenter: Judy Gertler)
· Monday, November 16th: Housing Opportunities Unlimited 10:30 am-12pm
40 Westwind Rd., Dorchester, MA 02125 (ambulance presenter: Lucilia Prates)
· Monday, November 16th: Ashland Senior Center 12:15 PM-1:15 PM
162 West Union St., Ashland, MA 01721 (presenter: Judy Gertler)
· Thursday, November 26th: Happy Thanksgiving!
· Monday, November 30th: Milton Council on Aging 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
10 Walnut St, Milton, MA 02186 (presenter: Gina Kelly)

Our calendar changes daily.

To get the most updated calendar, go to masmp.org/events/

To request a presentation, please email gk****@*****an.org

This publication is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $606,780 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.