Medicare scams target older adults specifically, because scammers know you have Medicare. They come in many flavors: a "free" medical device, a survey that needs your Medicare number, a suspicious charge on your account, or an offer to sign you up for new benefits.
All of them want one thing: your Medicare number, or access to your Medicare benefits so they can bill Medicare for services you never received.
Common versions
The free back brace scam. A call or TV ad offers a "free" back brace, knee brace, or diabetic supplies, "covered by Medicare." They ask for your Medicare number to "verify eligibility." Often a cheap product arrives in the mail, and Medicare is billed hundreds or thousands of dollars for it, affecting your coverage.
The genetic testing scam. A free DNA test, cancer screening, or health risk assessment, "covered by Medicare if you qualify." They collect your Medicare number and often get you to swab your cheek at a health fair or via mail. Medicare is billed thousands for unnecessary tests.
The new Medicare card scam. A caller says Medicare is issuing new cards, or that your card needs to be verified. They ask you to confirm your Medicare number and personal details.
The Medicare enrollment scam. During open enrollment or other times, a caller offers to help you sign up for a plan, or says you will lose coverage unless you act. They collect personal information to "enroll" you in a plan that may not exist.
The suspicious charges scam. A caller claims unusual activity on your Medicare account and needs your number to "resolve" it.
Why Medicare scams matter
When a scammer has your Medicare number, they can:
Bill Medicare for services or equipment you did not receive.
Use up your covered visits, so you are denied when you actually need them.
Create identity theft issues that can take years to untangle.
Get you enrolled in plans you do not want.
Medicare fraud costs the program tens of billions of dollars a year, which affects everyone's coverage.
How to protect yourself
Never give your Medicare number to someone who called you. Real Medicare will not call you out of the blue asking for it.
Treat your Medicare number like a credit card number. Share only with medical providers you have chosen and trust.
Do not accept "free" medical equipment from cold calls. Real Medicare-covered equipment comes from your doctor's prescription, not a telemarketer's offer.
Watch your Medicare Summary Notices. Look for services or equipment you do not recognize. Report them.
Hang up on anyone claiming to be from Medicare. Medicare does not cold-call.
Red flags that it is a scam
"Medicare is issuing new cards."
"You qualify for a free back brace / knee brace / DNA test."
"We need to verify your Medicare number."
"You will lose your benefits unless you act now."
Anyone offering to "help you choose a plan" who calls you first.
High-pressure deadlines.
How Medicare actually contacts you
By mail. Your Medicare card, summary notices, and plan information arrive by USPS.
Through your existing plan. Your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan may mail or call you, but they already have your information.
At MyMedicare.gov. Your online account, if you have set one up.
Medicare will not cold-call you for your number. Ever.
If you think you have been scammed
Call Medicare directly: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Report to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): a free service that helps seniors with Medicare fraud. smpresource.org.
Review your Medicare summary notices for the past 12 months. Report anything you do not recognize.
Consider a credit freeze if they got more than just your Medicare number.
The simplest rule
No Medicare number to anyone who calls you. Period. If they are legitimate, they can write to you. If they cannot accept "please send it in writing," they are scammers.