OPINION: Open enrollment brings out scammers

Prepare for an onslaught of promotional health insurance letters, phone calls, emails and texts during one of the biggest times of the year for scams. The open enrollment period for enrolling in or changing health coverage plans started for some people on Wednesday, and scammers already are descending upon us.

“They’re multiplying like bunnies,” says Kris Winterowd, with the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department.

For Medicare recipients, the enrollment period runs to Dec. 7. The period for those who purchase Affordable Care Act plans through the marketplace (called beWellNM in our state) is Nov. 1 through Jan. 15.

The fear factor accompanying so many scams is much in use this time of year. Callers might insist that, “You’re missing out on benefits that everybody else is getting unless you change plans,” says Winterowd. “I think the biggest red flag is someone trying to scare you.”

The key to not becoming a fraud victim and making a sensible insurance decision is reaching out for help if you’re confused or uncertain.

Prestin Nikolai, spokeswoman for beWellNM, says to watch for any communication “that doesn’t have an official signature or is asking for very personal information.” For example, legitimate emails from the agency will come only from info@bewellnm.com or noreply@bewellenm.com, she says.

At the same time, you can’t just ignore all outreach, because “people do need to keep an eye on their mail for any information that’s coming from their current plan,” Winterowd says.

“There are a couple of plans that are leaving certain areas or leaving the state altogether, and you don’t want to miss that. But the rest of it is pretty safe to ignore.”

Among the most common health insurance frauds in New Mexico generally are fake insurance company representatives trying to get personal Medicare information or money, and fake bills or notice of medical debt, according to Chelsea Pitvorec, with the state Department of Justice.

Know that Medicare will not call you on the phone uninvited. In fact, you will usually get a written statement in the mail before getting a phone call from a government agency. And beware of any contact in which you are offered freebies — gift cards, groceries, genetic testing kits, etc. These offers are part of the attempt to get your private information.

Even legitimate companies can offer an array of enticements that can get in the way of making a wise decision.

“People get dazzled by the fabulous new things that plans are offering, whether it’s a flex card or over-the-counter drug benefit,” Winterowd says. “It’s a constantly shifting landscape … to try to attract people. You don’t want to make a decision about how you’re going to get your health care for the next year based on that kind of bait. So it’s really important to be careful.”

Here’s help

Contact BeWellNM (New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace) at 833-862-3935. Its website, bewellnm.com,

• lists options for browsing insurance plans, learning about upcoming informational events and scheduling a free appointment. Be aware that texts from BeWellNM will always come from 844-515-5554 and say “BeWell.”
• For help with Medicare, contact the New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department. The main call center number is 800-432-2080. There, you can get immediate help, make a phone appointment for individual assistance or get any other questions answered. Get details about the 117 one-on-one counseling events that will be held around the state at

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