COVID-19, Frauds & Scams, General, Guest Bloggers, Medicare

Coronavirus-Related Medicare Scam Alert  

April 6, 2020 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: February 21, 2023

Since older Americans are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), I wanted to remind Medicare beneficiaries to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid falling victim to healthcare fraud during this pandemic.

We’re warning Medicare beneficiaries that scammers may try to use this pandemic to steal their Medicare number, banking information, or other personal data.

Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of the most vulnerable during times of uncertainty and change. You must protect yourself by making sure you only give your Medicare number to your doctor, pharmacist, hospital, health insurer, or other trusted healthcare provider.

If someone calls you on the phone, saying they’re from Medicare, and asks for your Medicare number or other personal information – just hang up.

Our representatives will never:

  • Call beneficiaries to ask for or to “verify” Medicare numbers.
  • Call to sell you anything.
  • Promise you things if you give them a Medicare number.
  • Visit you at your home.
  • Call you to enroll you in a Medicare program over the phone, unless you called us first.

We removed Social Security numbers from all Medicare cards last year to reduce fraud and protect our beneficiaries from identity theft. Even with this change, you should guard your Medicare card like you would a credit card. Be sure to check your Medicare claim summaries for errors and questionable bills.

If you suspect Medicare fraud, please report it by calling Medicare’s toll-free customer service center at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can also visit us online.

Please help spread the word by sharing this message with family and friends.  Your health and safety is important to us. So, please continue to follow President Trump’s public health guidelines by staying home. These simple actions could save more than 1 million American lives in the weeks and months to come.

For more information on Medicare and telehealth, check out Administrator Verma’s previous guest blog.

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About the Author

Seema Verma, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

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Comments

  1. Elizabeth S.

    We have to be careful to stay out of these kinds of healthcare frauds and should follow the things told by officials
    Elizabeth Simon
    WordPress designer, Wpcodeup

  2. cihad s.

    Great article. Thank you very much Seema.

    http://cihadsumbul.com.tr/

  3. Simon D.

    Everytime a new disease is discovered, there are people to use it for healthcare fraud. They will steal your banking information and other important details. So people should stay vigilant.
    – Simon David
    Content writer, Alcobyte

  4. Tatiana F.

    Too bad that Administrator Verma didn’t mention a great resource to report scams – the SHIPs – State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Every state has this, and their Medicare counselors can help! It’s a CMS funded program through the Administration for Community Living.

  5. Tatiana F.

    Too bad that Administrator Verona didn’t mention a great resource to report scams – the SHIPs – State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Every state has this, and their Medicare counselors can help! It’s a CMS funded program through the Administration for Community Living.

    • Tatiana F.

      Sorry- Administrator Verma.

  6. Sunbeam

    there are so many fraud happen through email now. should find a mechanism to filter those email. which is not detected from spam filters

    http://www.sunbeamlk.com/

  7. hijacket

    I am really concerned about the problem of fraud like this, I am very supportive of anti-pension movements especially with disaster problems like this from https://hijacketpro.com/

  8. Mr.D

    Sangat miris sekali jika adanya penipuan dunia medis karena sangat berisko untuk orang orang yang tidak memahami tentang medis. Tetapi langkah preventif ini sangat membantu untuk informasinya.
    jaket distro hoodie lapakbrebes

  9. janet c.

    I received a call saying that my medical information was just being updated. All my personal info was given and then the caller asked for my MCR #. I said I didn’t have it. Then he asked if I got my new black and white card in the mail yet. I said no. Then he said “well, here is your new number”. He recited the number and it was the number on my red, white and blue card and I did NOT give this number out to anyone. HOW DID HE KNOW IT? I will not give out my number to anyone. I did give out my old number once and I got a whole slew of braces which I don’t use and unfortunately MCR had to pay for.. (Sorry!) This individual had an accent and I have been getting these calls for about six months. Very annoying and they have even sworn at me when I don’t give them my number.

  10. Peggy

    My blog, https://2rthbtold.org is about a medicare scam in Nevada in a group home. Reports were submitted to OIG but nothing was done. Investigator ‘Ike’ referred the complaint BACK to the state medicaid office. SSA SAYS they monitor medicare and medicaid fraud, but the watchdog is like a fox in the hen house

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