Protecting Yourself From Medicare Fraud
Medicare fraud costs taxpayers billions and can affect your care. Learn common schemes, warning signs and simple steps to protect your Medicare number.
The short version
- Treat your Medicare number like a credit card number.
- Medicare will not call you unexpectedly to ask for personal information or sell products.
- Review your statements and report anything suspicious to 1-800-MEDICARE or your Senior Medicare Patrol.
In this guide
Medicare fraud happens when someone knowingly bills Medicare for services or supplies that were never provided, or uses a person's Medicare information without permission. Fraud wastes taxpayer money and can also affect you directly. It may put incorrect information in your medical records or use up benefits you might need later.
Common schemes
- Unsolicited calls or visits offering "free" medical equipment, such as braces, glucose monitors or wheelchairs, in exchange for your Medicare number.
- Free genetic or cancer screening offers at health fairs, senior centers or by phone, especially those that ask for your Medicare number and a cheek swab.
- Calls claiming you need a "new Medicare card" and asking you to confirm your number or pay a fee.
- Callers claiming to be from Medicare who ask for your bank information.
- Offers of gift cards or other incentives for your Medicare number.
- Pressure to switch plans, sometimes using misleading claims.
- Billing for services you did not receive, which you may only spot on your statements.
Key rules to remember
- Medicare will not call you to ask for your Medicare number or other personal information unless you have contacted them first.
- Medicare will not visit your home to sell products or services.
- Your Medicare card is free. No one should charge you for a new card.
- Medicare does not sell plans. Private companies sell Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medigap plans.
Protect your Medicare number
- Share it only with your doctors, pharmacies, insurers and others you trust who provide your care.
- Do not give it to anyone who calls, emails or texts you unexpectedly.
- Do not post photos of your Medicare card online.
- Keep your card in a safe place when you do not need it.
Review your statements
Check your Medicare Summary Notice (for Original Medicare) or Explanation of Benefits (from your plan) for:
- Services or supplies you did not receive
- Providers you have never seen
- Duplicate charges
- Dates when you were not receiving care
Your secure online Medicare account lets you check claims sooner, often shortly after they are processed.
Warning signs of a scam
- Pressure to act immediately
- Requests for personal or financial information
- Offers that sound too good to be true
- Threats that you will lose benefits
- Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency
If you think you have been targeted
- Hang up on suspicious calls. You can call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.
- Report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Office of Inspector General's hotline.
- Contact your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). SMP programs help people with Medicare prevent, detect and report fraud, errors and abuse. Find yours at smpresource.org or by calling 1-877-808-2468.
- If you gave out your Medicare number, contact 1-800-MEDICARE. In some cases, you may be issued a new number.
- If you gave out financial information, contact your bank immediately.
Help others stay informed
Share what you learn with friends and family. Scammers often reuse the same tactics, and awareness is one of the best defenses.
Terrameritavi is an independent publication and is not affiliated with Medicare or any government agency.
