Your Medicare information is just as important to protect as your Social Security number. Are you aware of the potential red flags and what to be cautious of when it comes to your Medicare coverage? To make it easier for you, we’ve outlined some essential tips below:
- Keep Your Medicare Number Private: Never share your Medicare number with anyone, especially over the phone or on the Internet—unless you’ve specifically authorized someone you know to have it.
- Treat Your Medicare Card with Care: Protect your Medicare card just as you would your Social Security card.
- Medicare Will Never Contact You Unsolicited: Unless you initiate the contact, Medicare will never reach out to you. If you receive a call claiming to be from Medicare, it is likely fraudulent.
- What to Do If You Receive a Suspicious Call: If someone contacts you claiming to be from Medicare and asks for your Medicare number or other personal information, hang up immediately. Then, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report the incident.
- How to Identify Medicare Fraud: Here are some common signs of Medicare fraud (though there are more to be aware of):
- Billing for services or supplies that were not provided
- Providing unsolicited supplies to beneficiaries
- Offering or accepting bribes in exchange for a beneficiary’s Medicare number
- Requesting Medicare numbers during an educational presentation or in an unsolicited phone call
We strongly encourage you to be cautious whenever someone contacts you regarding Medicare. This is why we believe it’s crucial to work with an agent you know and trust to help navigate your Medicare plan. Having a reliable point of contact will help you quickly identify any fraudulent calls.
The information shared in this email was sourced from Medicare.gov.
Stay safe and feel free to reach out if you have any questions.