Medicare open enrollment has begun and people are deluged with calls, mailers and social media posts about various Medicare Advantage plans.

Experts said shady insurance brokers may offer things like a debit card in order to get you to sign up for a plan that may not fit your needs.

Tatiana Fassieux, training specialist for the nonprofit California Health Advocates, said people should do the research so they do not come to regret their choice.

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"They may not be able to access their doctors or their medications. So we always say, buyer beware," Fassieux emphasized.

People can get free, unbiased help choosing a plan from the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. Contact information for each county’s program is listed on the California Health Advocates website. The agency’s federally funded Senior Medicare Patrol monitors Medicare scams and is offering a free webinar October 22, covering what is new for Medicare in 2027.

Fassieux added people should be wary of any group trying to charge a fee for a presentation on Medicare choices or require you to give them any personal information.

"There are strict marketing rules. There cannot be any cold calls. There should not be any pressure to join the plans," Fassieux outlined.

Medicare’s new handbook has now been mailed to all beneficiaries. If you have not received one, you can call Medicare to verify they have your correct address. Open enrollment runs through December 7.