INDIANA — Federal health officials are urging older Americans to stay vigilant against a surge in healthcare scams targeting Medicare beneficiaries with promises of “free” medical supplies and services.
In a public warning issued by the Medicare Team, officials outlined a growing trend where bad actors use unsolicited phone calls, emails, and text messages to lure seniors into a dangerous trap.
The advice from officials is simple and direct: Hang up the phone or delete the message.
“Only you and your doctor should decide what care and services are right for you,” the Medicare Team stated.
The Target: Your Medicare Number
According to health officials, scammers are not actually interested in your health—they want your Medicare Number. Once they obtain it, fraudulent operations can bill the federal government for thousands of dollars in unnecessary services and products.
Common items billed in these schemes include:
- Durable Medical Equipment: Items such as knee braces, back braces, or canes.
- Home Health Care: Unnecessary in-home nursing or therapy services.
- Hospice Care: End-of-life care programs.
The Hidden Danger of Hospice Scams
While fraudulent billing costs taxpayers billions, hospice scams carry a devastating personal consequence for the victims.
If an identity thief enrolls a beneficiary in hospice care without their knowledge, Medicare’s system automatically reclassifies the patient as terminally ill. Consequently, the victim could immediately lose access to their regular Medicare benefits, including coverage for routine doctor visits, regular medications, and life-saving treatments aimed at curing illnesses.
Strict New Measures Implemented
To combat the aggressive rise in these schemes, Medicare officials announced they have temporarily halted the enrollment of new home health and hospice agencies across the country.
Officials emphasized that this temporary freeze will not affect patient care. Any beneficiary who genuinely requires home health or hospice care can still seamlessly receive these services through existing, fully authorized agencies in their local area, as long as it is ordered by their legitimate doctor.
How to Protect Yourself and Report Fraud
Federal authorities recommend taking the following precautions to protect your identity and benefits:
- Never give out your Medicare Number to anyone other than your trusted doctor or healthcare providers.
- Never sign anything in exchange for “free” medical equipment or health services. If it is advertised as free from a stranger, it is a scam.
- Review your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) carefully to ensure you recognize all billed services.
If you believe you have been targeted by a scammer or have accidentally shared your information, report the activity immediately by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or by submitting a report online at Medicare.gov/fraud.
