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Medicare scams

Last updated September 18, 2026

The short answer

Medicare scams target seniors and people with disabilities through fake calls about new Medicare cards, free medical equipment, or required "benefits reviews." Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for your Medicare number, offer free products in exchange for your ID, or threaten to cancel your coverage.

Medicare fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars each year, and scammers routinely impersonate Medicare to steal beneficiaries' personal information and bill for services never provided. These scams spike during Open Enrollment (October-December) and target the elderly and people with disabilities, two of the most vulnerable populations.

How Medicare scams work

  1. 1

    Fake new Medicare card call

    A caller says Medicare is issuing new cards and needs to verify your Medicare number and personal details to send yours. In reality, Medicare already mailed cards to all beneficiaries and will never call to ask for your number.

  2. 2

    Free medical equipment or testing offer

    A caller offers a free back brace, knee brace, or genetic testing kit. They just need your Medicare number to "verify eligibility." The scammer bills Medicare for expensive equipment or tests and may also use your information for identity theft.

  3. 3

    Benefits review or recertification scam

    Someone claiming to be from Medicare says your benefits need to be reviewed or you'll lose coverage. They ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, and bank details.

  4. 4

    Medicare Advantage enrollment scam

    During Open Enrollment, callers pressure you to switch to a specific Medicare Advantage plan, claiming your current plan is being discontinued. They collect your personal details to enroll you in a plan that pays them a commission, often one that doesn't cover your doctors.

Warning signs

  • An unsolicited call asks for your Medicare number
  • Someone offers free medical equipment or genetic testing in exchange for your Medicare ID
  • A caller says your Medicare benefits will be canceled unless you verify your information
  • You're pressured to enroll in a new Medicare plan over the phone immediately
  • You receive Medicare Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements for services you never received
  • A caller claims to be from Medicare but calls from a regular phone number

Examples

"Medicare is sending new cards" phone call

A caller says "This is Medicare calling. We're issuing new cards with enhanced security features. To make sure you receive yours, I need to verify your Medicare number." After you provide it, they use it to submit fraudulent claims and steal your identity.

Free genetic testing kit at a health fair

At a health fair, someone offers a free DNA swab test "covered by Medicare." They collect your Medicare number. Weeks later, Medicare is billed $10,000 for genetic testing you didn't need or consent to. Your personal health information is now in the hands of strangers.

What to do

  • Never give your Medicare number to unsolicited callers. Medicare will not call asking for it.
  • Review your Medicare Summary Notices for services you didn't receive and report discrepancies.
  • If you think your Medicare number was compromised, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
  • Don't accept "free" medical equipment or testing from people who ask for your Medicare number.
  • Report suspected Medicare fraud to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Report it to Medicare

Call 1-800-MEDICARE, or the HHS Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Our step-by-step guide: Medicare

Getting your money back

If your Medicare number was stolen, call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it and request a new Medicare number if needed. Review your Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits for fraudulent charges. Report fraud to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS. Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus if your SSN was also compromised.

Frequently asked questions

Does Medicare call beneficiaries on the phone?

Medicare rarely calls beneficiaries unsolicited. They may call if you've recently contacted them or submitted a claim, but they will never call to ask for your Medicare number, offer free products, or threaten to cancel your benefits. If someone calls claiming to be Medicare, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE directly.

What should I do if I get an EOB for services I didn't receive?

This is a sign of Medicare fraud. Call the provider listed on the EOB to ask about the charge. If you confirm you didn't receive the service, report it to 1-800-MEDICARE and the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Can I get a new Medicare number if mine is compromised?

Yes. If your Medicare number was stolen or misused, contact 1-800-MEDICARE to request a new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI). The process may take several weeks, but your coverage continues in the meantime.

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