Medicare & Health Insurance Scams
Last updated September 18, 2026
The short answer
Someone is calling, texting, or visiting your home claiming to be from Medicare or a health insurance company. They're asking for your Medicare number, personal information, or trying to sign you up for a plan you didn't request. Medicare will never call you out of the blue to sell something or ask for your number.
How it works
- 1
They claim to be from Medicare
You get a call from someone saying they're from Medicare, your insurance company, or a "health benefits center." They sound official.
- 2
They offer something free or create fear
They say you qualify for a free back brace, genetic test, or new Medicare card. Or they threaten that your coverage will be cancelled if you don't "verify" your information.
- 3
They ask for your Medicare number
Once they have your Medicare number, they can bill Medicare for services you never received. They can also use it to steal your identity.
- 4
They bill for fake services
Your Medicare gets charged for equipment, tests, or treatments you never received. You might not notice until you check your Medicare Summary Notice.
Warning signs
- Someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asks for your Medicare number
- They offer free medical equipment, tests, or services out of the blue
- They say you need a new Medicare card and need to verify your identity
- They pressure you to switch plans during a time that isn't open enrollment
- Someone comes to your door selling Medicare plans
- They say your benefits will be cut off unless you provide information immediately
What it looks like
"Your new Medicare card is ready"
A caller says Medicare is issuing new cards and they need to verify your identity. They ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, and date of birth. Medicare does not call to issue new cards.
"You qualify for a free back brace"
You get a call saying you qualify for a free back or knee brace covered by Medicare. They take your Medicare number to "process the order." Medicare gets billed $4,000 for a brace you didn't need or request.
A door-to-door "health plan advisor"
Someone knocks on your door during open enrollment saying they can save you money on your Medicare plan. They sign you up for a plan that doesn't cover your doctors or medications. Real Medicare representatives do not go door-to-door.
What to do
- Hang up. Don't give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank info.
- Call Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227 to verify anything you were told.
- Check your Medicare Summary Notice for charges you don't recognize.
- If you gave out your Medicare number, call Medicare and ask about getting a new one.
- Report suspected Medicare fraud to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-447-8477.
- Report the call to the FTC.
Who gets targeted
Medicare scams target adults 65 and older who are enrolled in or eligible for Medicare. Scammers ramp up during open enrollment periods (October-December) when legitimate plan changes are happening.
These scams take advantage of the complexity of Medicare. Not understanding every detail of your plan doesn't make you vulnerable. Scammers exploit the system's complexity on purpose.
By the numbers
- Health care fraud costs the US an estimated $68 billion to $230 billion a year, or 3% to 10% of all health spending
- National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association
- People 60 and over lost $413 million of the $798 million reported to the FBI for government impersonation in 2025
- FBI IC3, 2026
- Medicare will never call you to offer free equipment, tests, or genetic screening
- Medicare.gov
Companies used in medicare & health insurance scams
These are the brands scammers hide behind in this scam. Each guide covers what that company will never ask you for, and how to report it to them directly.