The fastest way to stop Medicare calls is to register with the National Do Not Call Registry, but that alone won't stop calls from Medicare itself or from legitimate insurers you've worked with

Medicare-related phone calls fall into three categories: scams pretending to be Medicare, legitimate calls from Medicare or your actual insurer, and robocalls from companies that bought your information. The National Do Not Call Registry stops most robocalls within 31 days. Calls from Medicare itself or from insurers you've chosen require you to contact them directly and ask to be removed from their calling list. Scam calls need to be reported to the Federal Trade Commission, not just hung up on.

The key is knowing which type of call you're getting. If someone claims to be from Medicare and is asking for your Social Security number, bank details, or Medicare number unprompted, it's a scam — Medicare will never call you first asking for that information. If it's a real Medicare or insurance company number on your caller ID, you can ask to be taken off their list. If it's an unknown number, the Do Not Call Registry is your first move.

Key Takeaways

  • Register your phone number at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 to stop most robocalls within 31 days.
  • If you recognize the caller as your actual Medicare plan or insurer, call them back using the number on your insurance card and request removal from their calling list.
  • Medicare itself will not call you first asking for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank details — calls asking for this information are scams.
  • Report scam calls to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-438-4338, not just to Medicare.
  • Some calls from Medicare or insurers are legitimate outreach about plan changes or health screenings, and you may need to contact them directly to opt out of those specific calls.

Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry is a free list maintained by the Federal Trade Commission. When you add your number, telemarketers and robocallers are legally required to stop calling you within 31 days. You can register online at donotcall.gov or by phone at 1-888-382-1222. The registration is permanent — it does not expire and does not require renewal.

The registry stops most unwanted calls, but it has limits. Calls from charities, political organizations, surveys, and companies you've done business with in the past 18 months are still allowed. Calls from scammers are illegal regardless of the registry, but they ignore it anyway. And calls from Medicare or your actual insurance company are not blocked by the registry because you may have a legitimate reason to hear from them.

After you register, keep a record of the date. If you continue to get calls from the same number after 31 days, that is evidence the caller is breaking the law, and you can report them to the FTC with the date you registered.

Contact your Medicare plan or insurer directly to opt out

If the calls are coming from a number you recognize — your Medicare Advantage plan, your Medigap insurer, or Original Medicare — call them back using the number on your insurance card or your most recent bill. Do not call the number the caller left on your voicemail, because scammers sometimes spoof real company numbers.

When you reach the company, ask to speak with customer service and request that your phone number be removed from their calling list. Be specific: tell them you do not want calls about plan changes, health screenings, prescription reminders, or whatever the calls are about. Some companies have different calling lists for different purposes, so naming the type of call matters.

Ask the representative to confirm your request in writing or to send you a confirmation email. This creates a record if the calls continue. If they do continue after 30 days, call back and escalate to a supervisor, and mention that you have a record of your previous request.

Identify and report scam calls

Scammers impersonating Medicare or Medicare-related companies are common. Real Medicare will never call you first asking for your Social Security number, Medicare number, bank account details, or credit card information. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asks for any of this information without you initiating contact, it is a scam.

Other red flags: the caller says you have a problem with your Medicare account and must act when ready, offers a free medical device or test you did not request, or says you need to "verify" your information. Legitimate Medicare and insurers may call about plan changes or health services, but they will not pressure you or ask for sensitive information over the phone.

Report scam calls to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. You can also report them to the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-800-447-8477. Include the phone number that called you, the date and time, what they said, and any information you gave them. These reports help law enforcement track patterns and shut down scam operations.

Block numbers and use phone settings

Most smartphones have a built-in call-blocking feature. On iPhone, open the Phone app, find the number in your recent calls or voicemail, tap the info icon, and select "Block this Caller." On Android, open the Phone app, find the number, tap the three dots, and select "Block number." Blocked callers will not reach you, though their calls may still generate a voicemail.

If you get repeated calls from the same number after blocking it, that number may be spoofed — meaning scammers are using a fake caller ID. Blocking one spoofed number does not stop calls from the same scammer using a different number. In that case, focus on reporting to the FTC rather than blocking individual numbers.

Some phone carriers offer free call-filtering services. Verizon Call Filter, AT&T Call Protect, and T-Mobile Scam Shield can identify and block suspected spam calls automatically. These services are free on most plans, though some carriers offer a paid version with more features. Check your carrier's website or call customer service to turn on call filtering.

What to do if calls continue after you've registered

If you registered with the Do Not Call Registry and still receive calls from the same number after 31 days, file a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Include the phone number, the dates you received calls, and the date you registered with the Do Not Call Registry. The FTC uses these complaints to identify patterns and pursue enforcement action.

If the calls are from a company you recognize, follow up in writing. Send an email or letter to the company's customer service address (found on your bill or their website) stating that you requested removal from their calling list on a specific date and are still receiving calls. Keep a copy of your message and any response. If calls continue after that, you may have grounds to file a complaint with your state's attorney general or the Federal Communications Commission.

Document every call: the date, time, phone number, and what was said. This record is valuable if you need to prove a pattern of harassment or if you decide to pursue a complaint with a regulator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will registering with the Do Not Call Registry stop calls from Medicare?

No. The registry stops most telemarketing calls, but calls from government agencies and companies you have an existing relationship with are exempt. If you have Medicare coverage, Medicare and your plan are allowed to call you. To stop those calls, contact them directly using the number on your insurance card.

What should I do if someone calls claiming to be from Medicare and asks for my Social Security number?

Hang up when ready. Medicare will never call you first asking for your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank details. Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-438-4338, and include the phone number and time of the call.

Can I sue a company for calling me after I asked them to stop?

You may have legal grounds if a company continues calling after you have documented a request to stop. Some state laws and the Telephone Consumer Protection Act allow you to file a lawsuit for repeated calls. Consult a lawyer in your state to understand your options, or contact your state's attorney general for guidance.

If I block a number, will the caller know I blocked them?

No. Blocked callers will not reach you, and they will not receive a notification that they were blocked. Their call may go to voicemail or fail silently depending on your phone and carrier.

How long does it take for the Do Not Call Registry to work?

Most calls should stop within 31 days of registration. Some calls may stop sooner. If you continue to receive calls from the same number after 31 days, report that number to the FTC with the date you registered.