Protect yourself from Medicare fraud
Con artists may try to get your Medicare Number or personal information so they can steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone.
Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card.
Remember:
- Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare Number or other personal information unless you’ve given them permission in advance.
- Medicare will never call you to sell you anything.
- You may get calls from people promising you things if you give them a Medicare Number. Don’t do it.
- Medicare will never visit you at your home.
- Medicare can’t enroll you over the phone unless you called first.
Check regularly for Medicare billing fraud. Review your Medicare claims and Medicare Summary Notices for any services billed to that you don’t recognize.
How to report Medicare fraud
Report anything suspicious to Medicare.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
- Or call Montgomery County SHIP at 301-255-4250.
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan,
- Call the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379).
Have this information before you report fraud:
- Your name and Medicare Number.
- The provider’s name and any identifying information you may have.
- The service or item you’re questioning and when it was supposedly given or delivered.
- The payment amount approved and paid by Medicare.
- The date on your Medicare Summary Notice or claim.
More Tips to Prevent Fraud
Do’s
- Protect your Medicare Number and your Social Security Number.
- Use a calendar to record all of your doctor’s appointments and any tests you get.
- Learn more about Medicare and recent scams.
- Know what a Medicare plan can and can’t do before you join.
Dont’s
- Give your Medicare card, Medicare Number, Social Security card, or Social Security Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.
- Accept offers of money or gifts for free medical care.
- Allow anyone, except your doctor or other Medicare providers, to review your medical records or recommend services.
- Contact your doctor to request a service that you don’t need.
Useful Links
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
A federally funded program that supports Medicare to help Medicare enrollees, their families and caregivers prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. SMP is a place to get facts about Medicare fraud, current scams and fraud alerts, and other important information.
Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection
Your local source for all scams and alerts, learn about recent complaints, file a complaint, and more information about what may be happening in your neighborhood.
AARP Fraud Watch Network and Scam Map
A good source for general scams in your local area.