– By Barbara Wilcox, SHIP Counselor –

Have you ever received a phone call from someone who claims to be from Medicare or “the government” who says they need your Medicare number to send you a “new” Medicare card, or to check on your benefits, or any other reason?  If you suspected that something was wrong with that call, you were correct.  There are lots of crooks out there trying to cheat you and Medicare by stealing your Medicare number so they can charge Medicare for benefits that you don’t need and may never receive.  According to Forbes, Medicare and Medicaid fraud cost $103 billion each year.  

How can you avoid these scams and fraudsters, to save yourself and Medicare from getting ripped off?  Here are five telltale warning signs of Medicare fraud, according to the National Council on Aging.

1) Promises of free items or services:  If someone calls, texts or emails you with a promise of something for free and all you have to do is give your Medicare number, then that is certainly a scam or fraud.  Maybe they offer free walkers or wheelchairs, free braces, free genetic testing or screening. If you have not initiated the contact, or your doctor had not ordered the item or service you are promised, then that is a sure sign something is wrong. You should give out your Medicare number only to a doctor or other provider you have contacted or are going to for medical services.

2) Pressure to switch your Medicare plan:  The scammer may tell you that you have been “pre-approved” for a new health care or drug plan that could save you money or give you better benefits.  All they need is your Medicare number to enroll you. It is illegal for any insurance company or plan to contact you about Medicare plans unless you already have a relationship with that company or have given them permission to contact you.

3) Notices to renew or upgrade your Medicare card:  Sometimes the scammer says you are being issued a new plastic Medicare card or one with a chip in it.  All they need is for you to give them your Medicare number to “verify” your account.  The fact is, you never will be issued a new Medicare card unless you have contacted Medicare yourself and asked for a new card because you lost yours or it has worn out.  Medicare cards are always paper, not plastic.

4) Threats to cancel your coverage:  The scammer contacts you saying there’s fraudulent activity, or some other problem, with your Medicare account. You’re told you have to verify your account immediately, or sign up for a new plan, or your account will be cancelled. They ask for your Medicare number.  (There is a similar scam on credit cards going around.) As always, do not give your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you.

5) You receive notice that you are eligible for a refund: While there are some circumstances under which you might be eligible for a refund, such as if you paid for a medical service up front and then a claim was sent to Medicare (or your drug or Medicare Advantage plan), this is unusual.  If the caller asks for your Medicare number and/or your bank account information, it most certainly is a scam.  Hang up and call Medicare or your plan to verify.

A new scam seen recently offers free stem cell therapy, or regenerative treatments. Research for stem cell therapy is expanding, and Medicare does cover a few FCA-approved treatments that meet certain requirements. Some unscrupulous clinics and doctors are offering treatments that they claim are covered by Medicare, but aren’t.   There may be a high-pressure sales pitch, free “seminars”, free lunches. The patient is usually required to pay up front, and then when Medicare doesn’t cover the treatment, they are left with no reimbursement and no recourse.

These scammers can be very convincing, try to engage you in conversation, express interest and sympathy.  They may convince you that they are calling on official Medicare business.  As I SHIP counselor, I have talked with clients who have fallen for these scams, given their Medicare number, and then are embarrassed to realize that they should have known better.  If you think you may have given out personal information to someone who was scamming you, immediately call your local SHIP program or Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-839-2675.

– How can you protect yourself from these scams?  Here are some guidelines –

• Do not share your Medicare number with anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Guard your Medicare card like you guard your credit card and your bank account information.  Remember that Medicare will not call you unless you have asked for help.

• Don’t trust the caller ID on an incoming call.  Scammers have learned how to create fake caller IDs.

• Don’t click on links in an email or text message unless you are certain it is legitimate. Some scammers send you to fake web sites that look like an official Medicare web site but aren’t.  The official Medicare web site is Medicare.gov. 

• Don’t be afraid of threats to terminate your Medicare coverage.  If you qualify for Medicare, the government will not take it away. The only exception I know of to this is if you have failed to pay your Medicare Part B premium.  If this has happened, you can get your Medicare reinstated by paying the back premiums you owe. Remember, people with low incomes can get assistance in paying their Part B premiums.

• Don’t speak to anyone who tries to get you to sign up for a specific plan.  Medicare does not “prefer” or endorse any particular plan.  Do your homework, then choose the plan you want.  Your SHIP office can help.

• If you receive a new Medicare card, destroy your old one. Some scammers may claim that you need to return your old card.

• Do not accept genetic testing kits, braces, or any other medical equipment that your doctor did not order. You should refuse delivery or return it to the sender.

• Protect your medical records. Don’t allow anyone but your doctor or health care provider review your personal medical history. The only exception to this rule that I know of is if you are applying for Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) outside of your Guaranteed Issue time period.  In that case, the insurance company will probably make you go through medical underwriting and require you to fill out a medical questionnaire or share your medical records.

If you or someone you know has been scammed, take action and report it by calling Medicare (800-633-4227), contacting the Senior Medicare Patrol (877-808-2468), and/or submitting an online report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC.gov).

Remember that you can get free, unbiased information and advice about Medicare at your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).  Find your local SHIP office by calling 877-839-2675.

Information for this article came from the following sources:

Forbes Advisor, Insurance Fraud Statistics 2025. Forbes.com

5 Warning Signs of a Medicare Scam – and How to Protect Yourself, National Council on Aging, Feb. 24, 2025.  ncoa.org

Back to the Future: Stem Cell Marketing Reinvented for the Modern Age, Jennifer Trussell, Fraud Prevention Consultant, Medicare Messenger, June 2025.