Medicare does not call people unsolicited, but scammers do
Medicare will not call you out of the blue to sign you up, collect payment, or ask for your Medicare number. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and you did not contact them first, it is a scam. Real Medicare contact happens when you reach out to them, or when your doctor's office or hospital calls about your care.
Scammers use the Medicare name because seniors recognize it and trust it. They may sound official, use real Medicare jargon, and even spoof the phone number so it looks like it is coming from a government office. The goal is usually to steal your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details — or to sell you fake medical equipment or services.
This guide explains what real Medicare contact looks like, how to spot a fake call, and what to do if you get one.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare never calls you first to sign you up, verify information, or ask for payment — you must call them.
- Scammers may spoof the Medicare phone number or use official-sounding language to seem legitimate.
- Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details to anyone who calls you unsolicited.
- If you think a call is real, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) using the number on your Medicare card.
- Report suspected scams to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) or online at oig.hhs.gov.
When Medicare will contact you by phone
Medicare may call you if you have already started a conversation with them. For example, if you called Medicare to ask a question and they said they would call you back, that is legitimate. If your doctor's office or hospital calls about your Medicare coverage or to schedule an appointment, that is also real.
Your Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan may also call you — but only if you are already enrolled with them. These calls might be about a health screening, a medication refill, or a change to your coverage. If you are unsure whether you are enrolled with a plan, you can check your Medicare account online at Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Medicare may also call if there is a problem with your account that you reported — for instance, if you called to say your card was lost and they said someone would follow up. In that case, ask for a callback number and the name of the person calling, then hang up and call that number back through Medicare's main line to confirm.
Red flags that a call is a scam
Hang up when ready if the caller does any of these things: asks for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account details; says you need to pay a fee to keep your Medicare coverage; offers free medical equipment, tests, or services without you asking; says your Medicare is being cancelled or suspended; or creates pressure by saying you must act right now.
Scammers often claim they are calling to "verify" your information or to "update" your account. Real Medicare staff will not ask you to verify sensitive information over the phone if you called them first — and they will never call you first asking for it. If someone says they are from Medicare and asks for your number, that is a scam.
Another common trick is offering free medical equipment like diabetic testing supplies, orthopedic braces, or mobility aids. Scammers know that Medicare covers some of these items and use that to sound believable. If you need medical equipment, contact your doctor or call Medicare yourself to learn what is covered.
How to verify a call is really from Medicare
If someone calls and says they are from Medicare, do not give them any information. Instead, hang up and call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). This number is on your Medicare card. Tell the representative what the caller said and ask whether Medicare tried to reach you. They can check your account and tell you whether the call was real.
Do not use a phone number the caller gives you, even if it sounds official. Scammers can make their number appear as "Medicare" or a government office on your caller ID. The only safe way to verify is to hang up and call the number on your official Medicare card or statement.
If you are not sure whether you have a real Medicare card, you can go to Medicare.gov and log into your account, or call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm what your official contact number is.
What to do if you gave out information
If you already gave a scammer your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details, act quickly. Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE and tell them what happened. They can flag your account and watch for fraud. If you gave your bank details, call your bank right away and ask them to watch your account for unauthorized charges.
You can also place a fraud alert on your credit report by calling one of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You only need to call one bureau; they will notify the other two.
Keep a record of the date and time of the call, what the caller said, and any phone number that appeared on your caller ID. This information helps when you report the scam.
How to report a suspected scam
Report suspected Medicare scams to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). You can also report online at oig.hhs.gov. Have the date, time, phone number, and details of what the caller said ready when you call.
You can also report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC tracks scam patterns and uses the reports to warn the public and go after scammers.
If the scammer tried to sell you medical equipment or services, you can also report them to your state's Attorney General office. Many states have a consumer protection division that investigates fraud.
Protecting yourself from future calls
Do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize. If it is important, the caller will leave a message. Never give your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details over the phone unless you called the number yourself.
Be especially careful if the caller creates pressure or urgency — saying your coverage will end, that you must act today, or that there is a problem with your account. Real Medicare business can wait for you to call them back and verify.
If you are on the National Do Not Call Registry, you can report unwanted calls at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. While this will not stop all scam calls, it can reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can scammers really make their number look like it is from Medicare?
Yes. Scammers use technology called "spoofing" to make a call appear to come from a government office or a company you know. The number on your caller ID may look official, but it is fake. This is why you should always hang up and call back using the number on your Medicare card or official statement.
What if I am not sure whether I have Medicare or what my coverage is?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) yourself. This is the only number you should use to ask questions about your coverage. Do not rely on unsolicited calls, no matter how official they sound.
If I hang up on a real Medicare call, will they call back?
If Medicare needs to reach you, they can call again or send you a letter. You can also call them first at 1-800-MEDICARE. It is always safer to hang up on an unsolicited call and reach out yourself than to risk giving information to a scammer.
Are there any times Medicare will ask for my Medicare number over the phone?
If you call Medicare first, a representative may ask for your Medicare number to look up your account. But Medicare will never call you first and ask for it. If someone calls you unsolicited asking for your number, it is a scam.
What should I do if a family member gave out their information to a scammer?
Help them call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE right away to report the fraud. Also help them contact their bank if they gave banking information. Encourage them to report the call to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS so the scam can be investigated.