Does Medicare Call You, or Do You Need to Call Them?

Medicare does not call you to sign up or to offer you coverage

Medicare will not phone you out of the blue to enroll you or to tell you that you are may be able to access. If someone calls claiming to represent Medicare and offering to sign you up, that is a scam. Real Medicare enrollment happens through your own action — either online, by mail, or by phone when you call them.

Medicare does sometimes send letters in the mail about your coverage, your benefits, or changes to your account. Those letters are real. But the initial contact to get you signed up always comes from you, not from them.

Key Takeaways

Medicare will not call you to offer coverage or to enroll you; scammers do this regularly, so hang up if someone calls claiming to represent Medicare.
You start Medicare by contacting Social Security, calling 1-800-MEDICARE, or going online to Medicare.gov during your enrollment window.
Your enrollment window opens three months before the month you turn 65 and closes three months after; missing it can mean permanent penalties.
Medicare may call you if you have already enrolled and they need to verify information on your account, but they will never ask for your Social Security number or bank details over the phone.
If you are unsure whether a call is real, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself using the number on your Medicare card or the official Medicare website.

How to start Medicare enrollment yourself

You begin the process by reaching out to Medicare during your enrollment window. For most people, this window opens three months before the month you turn 65 and closes three months after. If you miss this window, you may face late enrollment penalties that stay on your account permanently.

You have three ways to enroll: online at Medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or by visiting your local Social Security office in person. The online route is fastest if you are comfortable with it. The phone line has wait times but connects you to a real person who can answer questions as you go. Social Security offices can also help, though hours vary by location.

Have your birth date, citizenship information, and current health insurance details ready when you contact them. If you are still working and covered by your employer's plan, tell them — your enrollment window may be different.

Red flags that a call is a scam

Scammers impersonating Medicare are common. Hang up when ready if someone calls and:

Offers to sign you up for Medicare or says you must enroll right now.
Asks for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank account details.
Pressures you to make a decision on the spot or says the offer expires today.
Asks you to pay a fee to enroll or to receive your Medicare card.
Claims they are calling from "Medicare headquarters" or a similar official-sounding name.

Real Medicare staff will never ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank details over an unsolicited phone call. If you are unsure, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself using the number on your Medicare card or from the official Medicare.gov website. Do not use a phone number the caller gave you.

Calls Medicare may make to you after you enroll

Once you are enrolled in Medicare, the program may call you for legitimate reasons. These calls usually come from Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) or prescription drug plans (Part D) that you have chosen, not from Medicare itself. They might call to confirm your address, verify that you still live in their service area, or remind you about preventive care visits.

During these calls, the caller should be able to tell you their plan name, your member ID, and why they are calling. You can ask them to send information by mail instead if you prefer not to discuss it over the phone. If they ask for your Social Security number or banking information, ask them to verify your identity using information you already provided when you enrolled — your date of birth, member ID, or address.

If you do not recognize the plan name or feel uncomfortable, ask for a callback number and hang up. Call the plan directly using the number on your insurance card to confirm the call was real.

What to do if you receive a suspicious call

Report the call to the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services. You can report it online at oig.hhs.gov or by phone at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). Include the phone number that called you, the time of day, and what the caller said. These reports help law enforcement track scam patterns.

You can also report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC tracks scams across the country and uses the reports to warn the public and pursue bad actors.

Tell your family and friends about the call, especially if you live with someone or have a caregiver. Scammers often target older adults, and word-of-mouth warnings help protect your community.

How to protect yourself during enrollment

Control the timing and method of contact. You choose when and how to enroll — do not let anyone rush you. If someone calls offering to help you enroll, politely decline and say you will contact Medicare yourself.

Use official channels only. Go to Medicare.gov directly by typing the address into your browser, or call 1-800-MEDICARE using the number from your Social Security statement or a previous Medicare letter. Do not click links in emails or texts, even if they look official.

Keep your Medicare card and enrollment documents in a safe place. Do not share your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank details with anyone who calls you, even if they sound official. Medicare staff already have this information if you are already enrolled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Medicare call me to tell me I am may be able to access?

No. Medicare does not proactively call people to tell them they are may be able to access or to enroll them. You must contact Medicare yourself during your enrollment window. If someone calls claiming to represent Medicare and offering enrollment, it is a scam.

What if I missed my enrollment window?

You can still enroll, but you may face late enrollment penalties. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to discuss your situation. Some people may have access to for a Special Enrollment Period if they had a may have access to life event, like losing employer coverage or moving to a new state.

Is it safe to give my information over the phone to Medicare?

Only if you called Medicare first using the official number. Never give sensitive information to someone who called you, even if they sound official. If you are unsure, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself to verify.

What should I do if a Medicare Advantage plan calls me?

You can listen to their message, but you do not have to answer questions or provide information. Ask them to send details by mail instead. If you want to verify the call is real, hang up and call the plan using the number on your insurance card.

Who should I contact if I think I was scammed?

Report it to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or oig.hhs.gov, and to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Also contact your bank or credit card company right away if you gave out financial information.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.