During the ongoing open-enrollment period for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans, Sandy Praeger, Commissioner of Insurance, is urging Kansas Medicare beneficiaries to be alert to any potential scams surrounding sign-up activity.

The open enrollment period began Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7.

The Kansas Insurance Department offers the following tips.

• Beware of door-to-door salespeople. Do not let uninvited agents into your home. Also, be aware that Medicare has no official sales representatives.
• Check with the state insurance department to make sure the salesperson is a licensed agent. Call (800) 432-2484 to speak with a consumer assistance representative.
• Federal regulations prohibit the marketing of Medicare products in places where health care is delivered or at an educational event.
• Federal regulations prohibit offers of free meals for listening to a sales presentation of signing up for a particular plan.
• Do not give out personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, or credit card numbers to anyone not verified as a licensed agent. Once the decision is made to purchase a plan, you may give the agent the needed information to assist in enrollment and billing. The bill will be sent to you for payment.
• Verify that the plan chosen is an approved Medicare plan as listed at www.medicare.gov under “Finding Plans,” or by calling (800) 633-4227.
• Read and understand the plan. Be sure it meets your needs and that you can continue to see your current health care providers, if desired.