Medicare fraud costs the healthcare system billions of dollars annually and can result in higher premiums and lost benefits for you. In 2026, scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, using “spoofed” phone numbers and high-pressure tactics to steal personal information.

Guarding Your Medicare Information

Your Medicare number is as valuable as a credit card or Social Security number.

  • Never give your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you unsolicited via phone, text, or email. Medicare will never call you to ask for this information unless you have left a message for them first.
  • Treat your card like cash: Keep your Medicare card in a safe place. Only share it with your doctors, pharmacists, or trusted healthcare providers.
  • Ignore “Plastic Card” scams: In 2026, a common scam involves callers claiming you need to “upgrade” your paper Medicare card to a plastic or “chipped” version for a fee. This is false. Medicare does not issue plastic or chipped cards, and your current paper card is all you need.

Identifying 2026 Fraud Tactics

Scammers often use “free” offers as a hook to get your billing information.

  • Free Medical Equipment: Be wary of unsolicited offers for “free” back braces, knee braces, or genetic testing kits. These are often used to bill Medicare for thousands of dollars for equipment you don’t need or never receive.
  • Threats of Cancellation: Scammers may claim your benefits will be canceled or your Social Security number will be suspended unless you “verify” your identity immediately. Medicare will never threaten you with legal action or immediate suspension over the phone.
  • Phony Plan Endorsements: No Medicare plan is “preferred” or “endorsed” by the government. If an agent claims their plan has a special government seal of approval, it is likely a deceptive marketing tactic.

The Prevent, Detect, Report Framework

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) recommends a three-step process to stay safe in 2026.

1. Prevent

  • Do not accept “free” medical services at health fairs or senior centers in exchange for your Medicare number.
  • Shred any old Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or insurance documents instead of throwing them in the trash.

2. Detect

  • Review your MSNs: If you have Original Medicare, you receive an MSN every three months. Review it for services or equipment you didn’t receive.
  • Check your EOBs: If you have Medicare Advantage, review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for duplicate charges or providers you’ve never seen.
  • Use Medicare.gov: Log in to your official account to view claims in real-time, which allows you to spot errors much faster than waiting for a paper statement.

3. Report

If you suspect fraud, follow these steps immediately:

  • Call your doctor first: Many billing errors are simple mistakes that the office can correct.
  • Contact the SMP: Call the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-808-2468. They have trained volunteers in every state to help you investigate suspicious charges.
  • Call Medicare: Report the incident directly to 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Source: Medicare.gov, “Medicare & You 2026 Handbook”; and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) National Resource Center, “2026 Fraud Prevention Guide.”