● HIGH RISK

Medicare & Health Insurance Scam

Callers posing as Medicare, an insurer, or a health agency try to pull your Medicare number, bill for care you never received, or sell you fake plans and equipment. Your Medicare number is as sensitive as your Social Security number — guard it. Medicare does not cold-call to sell you things.

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

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

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

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

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

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

FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Medicare & Health Insurance Scam?

What are the warning signs of Medicare & Health Insurance Scam?

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".

How do I protect myself from Medicare & Health Insurance Scam?

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).

What should I do if I'm a victim of Medicare & Health Insurance Scam?

Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report a suspected scam or stolen number. Report to the HHS Office of Inspector General at oig.hhs.gov/fraud or 1-800-HHS-TIPS. Contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at smpresource.org. Review your Medicare Summary Notices and explanation of benefits for false charges.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this high risk. Reported losses: Medicare loses an estimated $60+ billion a year to fraud (CMS). Most exposed: 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, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Medicare & Health Insurance Scam?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.

Sources & References

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