For many older Americans, the phone has become a source of anxiety instead of connection.
The calls often start early, around 7 a.m., and don’t let up until dinner. They arrive every few minutes, sometimes 40 or 50 times a day, from numbers that look local and legitimate.
When seniors answer, a cheerful voice claims to be “from health care” or “with Medicare,” insisting they need to verify coverage or confirm their Medicare number, to avoid a disruption to benefits.
Complaints about Medicare scam calls have surged 40% compared with last year, according to data from the Better Business Bureau reported in the New York Times. Experts say it is being fueled by personal information harvested and sold on the dark web.
While many people think of scams as purely financial threats, Medicare fraud can affect a senior’s actual medical care.
The scripts are deceptively simple. Callers ask whether the recipient has Medicare Parts A and B, then claim to offer a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) plan, a new card, extra benefits, or free medical equipment. Others pretend to be calling from a doctor’s office or warn that coverage could be interrupted.
In reality, Medicare rarely makes unsolicited phone calls. Legitimate notices will also be sent by mail. However, Scammers these days often have enough personal details to sound convincing.
Nicole Liebau, the strategic partnership and engagement director for Senior Medicare Patrol, has warned that scammers have information on an individual’s name, age, address, and sometimes Social Security or Medicare numbers. When scammers call, they may already know enough to gain trust (1).
That’s why even a brief engagement can make things worse. Answering, pressing a button, or saying “yes” can flag a number as active, triggering more calls and escalating harassment.
The real danger begins when scammers obtain a Medicare number.
Fraudsters can bill Medicare for services you’ve never requested and never received. In documented cases, victims have discovered charges for equipment they never ordered, or tests they didn’t take.
False claims can also damage a person’s medical record. Fake diagnoses, incorrect allergy information, or fraudulent hospice enrollment can delay or block legitimate care.
“If your Medicare number is compromised, there’s actually a higher health impact,” Liebau told Times. “You could have false diagnoses, records that show misinformation about your allergies, and incorrect lab results.”
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Secondary insurers may also be billed, leaving seniors on the hook for copays or unaware that their coverage limits are drained.
Beyond the fraud itself, the relentless calls take a psychological toll. Seniors report silencing their phones, unplugging landlines, or missing real calls from doctors and family.
Open enrollment season, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, is especially intense. But experts say the risk doesn’t end when enrollment closes (1).
The scammers are relentless, but you can help protect yourself and your loved ones. Here are some ways to minimize the risks of Medicare scams:
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Don’t answer unknown numbers: Let suspicious calls go to voicemail to avoid scammers.
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Register for the Do Not Call Registry: The registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls and helps regulators track patterns and abuse (2).
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Use call-blocking tools: Many carriers and smartphones offer free scam-filtering features that can reduce repeated calls (3).
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Review Medicare statements regularly: Check for unfamiliar charges, providers, or equipment you never requested.
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Create a Medicare.gov account: Having an online account allows you to monitor claims activity and spot fraud early (4).
If you think you may have given out personal or Medicare information:
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Contact Medicare immediately at 1-800-MEDICARE
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Report the incident to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (5)
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Reach out to your local Senior Medicare Patrol, which can help flag fraudulent claims and clean up records (6).
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Monitor all insurance statements closely for several months.
Awareness, vigilance, and quick action can make the difference between nuisance calls and long-lasting damage to health coverage.
We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.
The New York Times (1); Federal Trade Commission (2); Federal Communications Commission (3); Medicare (4); Federal Trade Commission (5); Senior Medicare Patrol (6)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
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