Three Medicare Scams to Watch For in 2023
Sadly, Medicare scams by phone happen every day. Remember that Medicare will never “cold call” you
and ask for your personal information. When in doubt, hang up and call Medicare at (800) 633-4227.
1.) Watch out for Medicare card scams.
New plastic Medicare cards are not being issued. This is a scam! Hang up the phone if you get a call
telling you that Medicare is sending out new plastic cards, microchipped cards, or Medicare “gold”
cards. Don’t be fooled by this one!
2.) Report genetic testing scams.
Your doctor may order you a genetic screening or test. However, if you get a “telemedicine call” or see
people offering free tests at a meeting or educational session, report them to Missouri SMP at (888)
515-6565. Review your Medicare statements for genetic screening/tests not ordered by your doctor,
including cancer, cardiac, dementia, DNA, drug metabolism, or Parkinson’s. Stay safe!
3.) Detecting Medicare hospice fraud on behalf of yourself, family, and friends
Hospice is for terminally ill people with a life expectancy of six months or less. High pressure
scammers try to con you to agree to hospice care using gifts or incentives, even though you or your
loved ones don’t qualify for the benefit. Check your Medicare statements regularly to see if you
were billed at a higher level of care than was needed or were billed for services not received.
This fraud prevention information is brought to you by Missouri SMP. Our mission is to empower and
assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report healthcare fraud,
errors, and abuse. Together, let’s make 2023 a safe, healthy and satisfying year!
Call (888) 515-6565 to report suspected Medicare or Medicaid fraud, errors, or abuse.
This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90MPPG0040, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
