Understanding Medicare Scams

1. Medicare Card Scams

Scammers may call claiming that you need a new Medicare card and ask for your Medicare Number or other personal information.
🚨 Red Flag: Medicare will never call you to ask for your card number.

2. Fake Medicare Plan Offers

Fraudsters might try to sell you bogus Medicare Advantage or Part D plans that don’t exist.
🚨 Red Flag: Only use licensed insurance agents to compare plans.

3. Free Medical Equipment Scams

Scammers offer “free” medical devices like braces or wheelchairs in exchange for your Medicare number. They then bill Medicare for expensive or unnecessary equipment.
🚨 Red Flag: If you didn’t request medical equipment, it’s likely a scam.

4. Phony COVID-19 or Health Screenings

Scammers offer fake COVID-19 tests, genetic testing, or health screenings to steal Medicare numbers and bill for unnecessary services.
🚨 Red Flag: Only accept screenings from trusted healthcare providers.

5. Medicare Refund or Rebate Scams

Some scammers claim you are owed a refund or need to verify your banking details for a Medicare reimbursement.
🚨 Red Flag: Medicare will never call or email you about refunds—contact them directly to confirm.

How to Protect Yourself from Medicare Scams

✅ Guard Your Medicare Number – Treat it like a credit card and only share it with trusted healthcare providers.

✅ Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Calls – Medicare will never call, text, or email to ask for your information.

✅ Review Your Medicare Statements – Check your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for suspicious charges.

✅ Say No to Free Offers – If something is “free” but requires your Medicare number, it’s a scam.

✅ Report Suspicious Activity – If you suspect Medicare fraud, call or report it to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).

Conclusion

Medicare scams are on the rise, but by staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself and your benefits. If something feels suspicious, trust your instincts and verify with official sources.

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