MEDICARE.GOV – Medicare fraud and abuse can happen anywhere.
It’s important that you protect your Medicare number and other personal information, and check your Medicare claims regularly so you don’t become a victim.
What are some examples of Medicare fraud?
- A provider that bills Medicare for services or supplies they never gave you, like charging you for a visit you never had, or a back brace you never got.
- A provider that charges Medicare twice for a service or item that you only got once.
- A person who steals your Medicare Number or card and uses it to submit fraudulent claims in your name.
- A company that offers you a Medicare drug plan that Medicare hasn’t approved.
To help spot and prevent Medicare fraud and abuse:
Compare the dates and services on your calendar with the Medicare statements you get to make sure you got each service listed and that all the details are correct.
Know what a Medicare health or drug plan can and can’t do before you join.
Learn more about Medicare and recent scams.
If you suspect fraud call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or online:
Report Medicare Fraud
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare drug plan you can also call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379). What information should I have ready when I call?
Protect yourself from medical identity theft
Medical identity theft is a serious crime that happens when someone uses your personal information without your consent to commit Medicare fraud or other crimes. Use the following tips to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Do:
- Protect your Medicare Number and your Social Security Number.
- Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card.
- Become familiar with how Medicare uses your personal information. If you join a
- Medicare health or drug plan, the plan will let you know how it will use your personal information.
- Check the receipts and statements you get from providers for mistakes, and call your provider’s office if you think a charge is incorrect. The person you speak to may be able to help you understand the services or supplies you got, or they may realize a billing error was made.
- Remember that Medicare will never call you to sell you anything or visit you at your home. Medicare, or someone representing Medicare, will only call and ask for personal information in limited situations:
- A Medicare health or drug plan may call you if you’re already a member of the plan. The agent who helped you join can also call you.
- A customer service representative from 1-800-MEDICARE can call you if you’ve called and left a message or a representative said that someone would call you back.
- If you filed a report of suspected fraud, you may get a call from someone representing Medicare to follow up on your investigation.
Report Identity Theft
Don’t:
- 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 (like insurers acting on your behalf or people who work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Get the contact information for your local SHIP.
- 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. - Join a Medicare health or drug plan over the phone unless you called us.
