Prevent Fraud

Medicare fraud wastes billions of dollars every year. Though some people aren’t directly impacted by it, all enrollees are impacted indirectly, as fraud causes things to be more expensive. But there is a lot you can do to protect yourself from Medicare fraud, waste and abuse. The number one thing is to be aware.

Unfortunately, Medicare fraud comes in many forms. Sometime, fraud can come from people you know - doctors, nurses, other medical staff, etc. – when they provide services and medications that you don’t actually need. While other scammers contact you over the phone, via email, via text, and in other ways that make it less easy to know fraud is happening.

The Senior LinkAge Line is Minnesota’s federally designated Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). We help people fight fraud, abuse and scams. Report fraud, abuse and scams by calling the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433.

Here are just a few of the ways people are trying to use dishonest means to make money:

Using your Medicare number to bill Medicare for services or items you did not receive
Sending you items you did not ask for and then billing Medicare for them
Telling you Medicare will pay for genetic testing, but it does not
Informing you that you need to pay for a new Medicare card, but Medicare cards are actually provided to you for no charge
Asking for your Social Security Number and bank account information, so that you can send you a refund for something
Pressuring you to pay a bill over the phone by telling you your coverage will be dropped if you don’t pay.
Showing up at your door and tells you they are with Medicare
And unfortunately, many, many more.

What to do if you’re targeted

Track your accounts
Keep track of the medical services and prescription drugs you receive. Review your receipts and bills to your explanation of benefits. If something doesn't look right, follow up and ask questions.
Report the scam
Let authorities know. You can report Medicare scams to 1-800-MEDICARE.
Share with others
By sharing your experience, you can help others avoid the same scam.