If you have Medicare coverage, you have certain responsibilities—such as knowing when to sign up or change plans, and reading all letters you receive from Medicare. Another critical responsibility you have as a Medicare beneficiary is protecting your Medicare card and number. 

Medicare fraud and scams cost the program billions of dollars each year—up to $60 billion, in fact, according to the Administration for Community Living. But with some simple precautions, you can help fight back. 

What is Medicare fraud?

Medicare fraud is when someone (e.g., a provider or healthcare facility) lies or gives false information to get money or services from Medicare they’re not entitled to. This can include billing Medicare for care you never got, using your Medicare number without your permission, or charging for more expensive services than you actually received. It’s illegal and can raise costs for everyone.

What is a Medicare scam? 

A Medicare scam is when someone tries to trick you into giving away your Medicare number or personal information so they can steal your benefits or money. A caller or email sender may pretend to be from Medicare, offer fake services like free medical equipment, or say you need to "verify" your number. In other cases, they may try to trick you into signing up for a specific Medicare plan. If it sounds suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. 

How can I prevent Medicare fraud and scams?

These best practices can help you keep your account information safe and secure and stop scammers in their tracks:

1. Protect your Medicare number like you would a credit card: Don’t share your Medicare number—or your Social Security number—with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Only give it to your doctor, pharmacy, or trusted Medicare representatives. Medicare won’t call you unless you asked them to, and they won’t need your personal info if they do (because they already have it).
2. Dispose of your old Medicare card safely: If you get a new card from Medicare, cut up the old one right away. Medicare will never ask you to send it back. Some scammers may say you must return it—but that’s not true. Use scissors or a shredder to destroy it and begin using your new card immediately.
3. Be wary of “professionals” who push specific Medicare plans: Don’t talk to anyone who tries to pressure you into picking a certain plan. Medicare does not endorse or prefer any one plan—and anyone who says otherwise is not being truthful.
4. Don’t click on suspicious links: Scammers may send emails or texts that look like they’re from Medicare, but they’re fake. These messages can lead you to bogus websites that look real. If you get an unexpected email or text, don’t click any links or respond. Instead, just delete it.

   If you need to update your Medicare information, log in to your Medicare account at Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or talk to a trusted advisor.

How do I report a Medicare scam? 

If you think you or someone you know has been targeted by a Medicare scam, here’s how to report it:

• Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
• Contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-808-2468 or file a report online.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-877-438-4338 (TTY users should call 1-866-653-4261).
• Call the Fraud Hotline of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-447-8477.

What if I enrolled in the wrong Medicare plan due to a scam?

If you are enrolled in the wrong plan by mistake or after receiving misleading information, you may be able to disenroll from the plan and enroll in a new one that’s a better fit for your needs.

There are a couple of scenarios where you have a right to change plans:

• You were enrolled in a plan unintentionally.
• You were enrolled in a plan based on incorrect or misleading information.
• You were enrolled in the same plan or kept in a plan you didn't want.

If you believe you fall within these scenarios, you can contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request a retroactive disenrollment or a Special Enrollment Period.