The 7 Most Common Medicare Scams to Watch For

Scammers are always coming up with new schemes, but many of their tricks are variations of a few common themes. By learning to recognize these core scams, you can protect yourself from most attempts to steal your information.

1. The “New Medicare Card” Scam

How it works: A scammer calls you and claims to be from Medicare or the Social Security Administration. They’ll say that you need a new, updated Medicare card, perhaps a “plastic chip card” or a “laminated card” for your protection. To issue this new card, they say they must “verify” your personal information, including your Medicare number.

The red flag: This is a complete fabrication. Medicare already sent out the new cards with unique numbers (instead of Social Security Numbers) a few years ago. They will never call you out of the blue to ask for your number or to tell you a new card is on the way. If your card is ever lost or stolen, you are the one who must initiate contact to get a replacement.

What to do: If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately. It is not a real call from Medicare.

2. The “Free” Medical Supplies or Equipment Scam

How it works: You might see a TV commercial, get a phone call, or see a flyer offering “free” medical equipment. This could be anything from a back brace or knee brace to a talking glucose monitor. The person on the phone will be very friendly and persuasive, telling you that Medicare will cover the entire cost. All they need is your Medicare number to “check your eligibility.”

The red flag: While Medicare does cover durable medical equipment, it must be prescribed by your doctor as medically necessary. Unsolicited offers of “free” items are almost always a setup. The company will use your number to bill Medicare for hundreds or even thousands of dollars for equipment you may not need and might never even receive. For example, they might bill Medicare $1,200 for a simple back brace that costs them a fraction of that price.

What to do: Never accept medical equipment from a company that calls you directly. Talk to your own doctor about your health needs. Legitimate companies will work directly with your doctor’s office.

3. The Fake Genetic Testing Scam

How it works: This is a newer, very expensive scam. A caller or someone at a “health fair” booth offers a “free” genetic screening test, often by just swabbing the inside of your cheek. They might claim this test can detect your risk for cancer, Alzheimer’s, or heart disease. They’ll frame it as a cutting-edge, preventative service that Medicare now covers.

The red flag: These expensive genetic tests are only covered by Medicare in very specific circumstances and must be ordered by your doctor to treat an existing condition. Scammers use your Medicare number to bill for these tests, which can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $25,000. These fraudulent claims can put a mark on your Medicare record, potentially making it harder to get legitimate tests covered in the future.

What to do: Do not agree to any genetic testing from an unsolicited call or event booth. Discuss any preventative screenings with your trusted physician.

4. The Phantom Billing Scam

How it works: In this scam, you may not even interact with the criminal. A thief who has already stolen your Medicare number—perhaps from a different scam or a data breach—will use it to bill Medicare for services you never received. They might submit claims for lab tests, physical therapy, or even surgeries that never happened.

The red flag: The only way to catch this is by carefully reading your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). The MSN is a document that Medicare mails to you every three months. It lists all the services and supplies that were billed to your account. If you see a charge for a doctor you didn’t visit or a procedure you didn’t have, it’s a major warning sign.

What to do: Always open and review your MSN. If you spot a charge that looks wrong, call the Medicare hotline to report it immediately. Think of it as checking your credit card statement for fraudulent charges.

5. The Deceptive Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) Scam

How it works: This scam is most common during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment period (from October 15 to December 7). A caller will claim to be a “Medicare representative” who can help you find a better, cheaper Part D prescription drug plan. They will sound very official and helpful, but their goal is to get you to switch to a subpar plan they represent or to simply steal your personal information during the “enrollment” process.

The red flag: Official Medicare representatives will never call you to sell you a specific plan. They are not allowed to do that. While there are legitimate insurance brokers who can help you, they cannot call you without your permission first. Any unsolicited call about your drug plan is highly suspicious.

What to do: If you want to review your Part D coverage, you should be the one to initiate the contact. You can use the official Plan Finder tool on the Medicare.gov website or contact a trusted, state-certified counselor for unbiased help.

6. The Government Imposter Scam

How it works: A scammer calls and pretends to be from an official government agency. It might be Medicare, but they also frequently use the Social Security Administration (SSA) or even the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The caller will use a serious, urgent tone. They might say your benefits are at risk of being suspended, that there’s been fraudulent activity on your account, or that you are owed a refund. To fix the problem, they need you to confirm your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account information.

The red flag: Government agencies almost always communicate through official mail, not with threatening phone calls. They will never call you to ask for your private information or demand payment over the phone. Any call that uses threats or high-pressure tactics is a scam.

What to do: Hang up. Do not engage with the caller. If you are genuinely concerned, you can look up the official phone number for the agency yourself (do not use a number the caller gives you) and call them directly to verify.

7. The Health Fair and Community Event Scam

How it works: Scammers can also operate in person. They may set up a booth at a local senior center, church event, or health fair. They offer “free” health screenings, like a blood pressure check or a memory test. To get this free service, you have to sign in with your name and, of course, your Medicare number.

The red flag: While many health fairs are legitimate, be very cautious about who you give your information to. A scammer’s booth may look professional, but their only goal is to harvest a list of valid Medicare numbers. They may also use the opportunity to push the “free” medical equipment or genetic testing scams we discussed earlier.

What to do: Before giving out any information, ask questions. Who is sponsoring the event? Why do they need your Medicare number for a simple screening? If you feel pressured or uncertain, just walk away. It is better to be safe than sorry.

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