I've heard about Medicare fraud. What steps can I take to protect myself from scams related to Medicare?

Question

Marsha Reiniers · Accepted Answer

To protect against Medicare fraud, be as vigilant a you would with your credit cards and financial accounts. Don't share your information with anyone unless you know exactly who you are talking with. Check your Medicare claims history and use your login at www.Medicare.gov website to review your claims. If you see charges for services you never received - notify Medicare. Be careful of phone calls asking for your private information, your Medicare ID, social security number, etc. These are red flags.

Answered by Marsha Reiniers on April 21, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL, GA, NC, PA, SC & VA

Answered by Marsha Reiniers Medicare Insurance Agent

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

Fraud generally comes in the form of waste, fraud and abuse such as providers billing for services not done, or unnecessary tests being preformed, pharmacy meds and others. Deal with licensed agents and brokers providing plans. If you suspect something call the Medicare Hot Line.

Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown on April 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, AL, CO & 10 other states

Answered by Lt Col Tim Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Christopher Palazzini · Answer

Never give out your Medicare # to anyone over the phone unless it's your doctors office or agent during Annual Enrollment 10/15-12/7 as long as you are requesting a update/change of insurance.

Terrie Boteler · Answer

If you are concerned about Medicare fraud, there are steps you can protect yourself.
1) Be advised Medicare will never call you.
2) Cold calling is not permitted, so do not give out any personal information unless you initiated the call.

Tasha Riggs · Answer

If you did not request information about Medicare do not answer the phone for random people who call you out of the Blue about Medicare. 
Only talk to people that you signed a written agreement for them to talk to you. 
I would also google their name they work for. Not the insurance company name and their personal name to see if they have a reputation. 
For instance, If you google my personal name you will see great reviews about me and my team.
If you google each medical company you will get mixed reviews. 
You have to know and trust the person who is giving you recommendations.

Christopher Garcia · Answer

It’s very important to understand some basics that will allow you to spot scams and help differentiate them from legitimate calls. Medicare and social security will never call you. They will send letter, however when someone calls asking for you to provide personal private info or stating that they are calling for a legitimate reason you should in my opinion be skeptical. Here are a few tips to help.

1. Always get a name and phone number and ask for a license number from the people who are calling. Ask what company they are with. If they are not a scammer they should have a number where they can be reached directly. 

2. Don’t give private information out over the phone. This information is what scammers are hoping to get. Guard your info and if your concerned that you may be speaking to a scammer simply hang up. 

3. Know some basic rules that apply to medicare sales. Agents are not allowed to solicit medicare beneficiaries without expressed permission. An agent has to have a permission to contact form or a scope of appointment in order to call
you for sales purposes. You can call them directly but the rules protect you from being solicited and knowing that can help you spot scammers or even agents who don’t play by the rules. 

4. Lastly if you have a local agent that you know and trust reach out to them for guidance. They can help educate you on the rules and be used as a resource to help you spot scammers.

Dorothy Lam · Answer

First, know that no one from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), which administers the Medicare program, will ever call on the phone to a Medicare member. All communication is done by mail. Second, if someone claiming to be calling from Medicare does call you, note the phone number and report that to CMS at 800-273-0360.

Also, check over the Explanation of Benefits forms that come to you explaining the medical and prescription claims that have been sent to your plan. Make sure you recognize these charges as your, that is, you remember going to the doctor or filling the listed prescription, as it is listed. If you did not receive those reservices, call the plan to report possible fraud.

There are many unscrupulous advertisers out there who hope you will call a number to get "free information" but intend to direct you to an agent to enroll you in a plan. Look carefully on all printed advertisements for the required statement disclosing a call will give them permissions to connect you with a sales agent. None of these advertisements are from CMS or another government agency, which does offer free information. The advertisements are all intended to sell you a Medicare plan, either an Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement plan.

Britania James · Answer

1. Only share personal information with your trusted agent or broker.
2. Never share personal information with solicitors who contact you by phone or email, especially those that claim to be from Social Security. Social Security will only contact you via postal mail.
3. Safeguard your Medicare number. Do not share your Medicare number with anyone except your doctor's office or authorized Medicare agent.
4. Stay away from "free" perks and services in exchange for your personal information. 

*personal information includes your Social Security number, Medicare number, date of birth, financial information, name, address