● HIGH RISK
Medicare & Health Insurance Scam
Scammers pose as Medicare, insurers, or health agencies to steal your Medicare number, bill for services you never received, or sell fake plans and equipment.
Losses: Medicare loses an estimated $60+ billion a year to fraud (CMS)
Targets: Seniors 65+, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, caregivers
Updated: 2026-06-11
Also known as: Medicare Card Scam · Health Insurance Scam · Durable Medical Equipment Scam · Open Enrollment Scam
01
How It Works
Scammers exploit confusion around Medicare benefits, new cards, and annual open enrollment to harvest your Medicare number — which is as valuable to criminals as a Social Security number.
**Common scenarios:**
1. **Medicare card scam**: "We need to verify your number to send your new Medicare card." (Medicare never charges for a card and never cold-calls for your number.)
2. **Free equipment scam**: Robocalls or ads offer "free" braces, knee supports, or genetic testing — then fraudulently bill Medicare for thousands using your number.
3. **Fake plan / open-enrollment scam**: During the Oct 15–Dec 7 enrollment window, fake "agents" pressure you to switch plans to collect your information or commissions.
4. **Refund scam**: "You overpaid your premium — give us your bank details for a refund."
5. **Genetic / cancer-screening scam**: Free cheek-swab kits at health fairs used to bill Medicare for unneeded tests.
**Why your Medicare number matters:**
Criminals use it for medical identity theft — billing for services in your name, which can corrupt your medical records and exhaust your benefits.
How Scammers Make Contact
Phone callsRobocallsText messagesDoor-to-doorTV/online ads
02
Warning Signs & Red Flags
- Anyone calling to "verify" or "reactivate" your Medicare number
- Offers of "free" medical equipment or genetic tests in exchange for your number
- Pressure to switch plans immediately during open enrollment
- Caller claims you need a new plastic, chip, or "2026" Medicare card
- Requests for your bank account to process a premium "refund"
- Threats that your benefits will be cancelled if you don't act now
03
Real-World Example
"A caller said Medicare was sending out new plastic cards with a chip and needed to confirm my number before they could mail mine. It sounded official — they already knew my name and that I was on Medicare. I gave them the number. Two months later my statement showed a $4,300 back brace I never received."
— Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Resource Center
04
How to Protect Yourself
- Guard your Medicare number like a credit card — give it only to trusted providers
- Medicare will never call, text, or visit uninvited to ask for your number
- There is no fee for a Medicare card, and the card design rarely changes
- Hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
- Review Medicare Summary Notices for services you never received
- Be wary of "free" equipment or testing offers — they are billed in your name
05
What To Do If You're a Victim
- 1Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report a suspected scam or stolen number
- 2Report to the HHS Office of Inspector General at oig.hhs.gov/fraud or 1-800-HHS-TIPS
- 3Contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at smpresource.org
- 4Review your Medicare Summary Notices and explanation of benefits for false charges
- 5Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 6If your number was misused, visit identitytheft.gov to make a recovery plan
Report This Scam
?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medicare & Health Insurance Scam?
Scammers pose as Medicare, insurers, or health agencies to steal your Medicare number, bill for services you never received, or sell fake plans and equipment. Scammers exploit confusion around Medicare benefits, new cards, and annual open enrollment to harvest your Medicare number — which is as valuable to criminals as a Social Security number.
**Common scenarios:**
1. **Medicare card scam**: "We need to verify your number to send your new Medicare card....
How common is this type of scam?
Medicare & Health Insurance Scam is classified as a high risk threat. Reported losses: Medicare loses an estimated $60+ billion a year to fraud (CMS). This primarily targets Seniors 65+, Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, caregivers.
Can I get my money back?
Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
How do I report this?
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. Also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
Related Scams
Government Impersonation Scam
Scammers pose as IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or law enforcement to demand immediate payment or personal information.
Bank Impersonation Scam
Scammers pose as your bank's fraud department claiming suspicious activity on your account, then trick you into moving money to "protect" it.
Grandparent Scam
Scammers call pretending to be a grandchild in trouble — car accident, jail, hospital — urgently needing money and secrecy.
Think you've encountered this scam?
Use the free AI scanner to analyze suspicious messages, websites, or phone numbers.
Scan Now — It's Free