Econintersect: This week our staff has been receiving emails urging immediate action to make sure that the recipient is able to take full advantage of the 
Medicare Open Enrollment period ending December 31, 2012. An image of the email follows the Read more >> break. But before you rush to look at the great service offered , you should be aware that Medicare open enrollment for 2012 ended December 7. This looks like it could be a classic phishing scam, but could be even worse if it is going to collect money to squeeze some hapless victims into a great new Medicare plan available during the current “open enrollment period.”
Following is the offering email:
The email address comes from oncehosty.com. If you follow the link to the site you will find what appears to be shell website which offers no information at all about any possible business activity. But even the website is phishing: There is a tab to hit to “unsubscribe.” How can you do that without putting in at least your email address and who knows how much more. Econontersect did not enter an email address and proceed with the “unsubscribe” process.
Here is what the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services has to say about Medicare Open Enrollment:
October 15 to December 7 is when ALL people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plan and prescription drug coverage for 2013. Information on 2013 plans will be available beginning in October. People with Medicare can call 1-800-MEDICARE FREE or visit www.medicare.gov for plan information. If a person is satisfied that their current plan will meet their needs for next year, they don’t need to do anything. –Open Enrollment Center (CMS.gov)
There have been many communications put out by HHS about the open enrollment period, especially the last week of the period. Here is an excerpt from a press release over the name of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius:
If you haven’t made up your mind yet about a health or drug plan, now is the time to make your selection. Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7. – Medicare Open Enrollment: Last Chance to Review and Compare Plans (Kathleen Sebelius, Healthcare.gov, 03 December 2012)
