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    Medicare Scam Guide

    $60 BILLION lost to Medicare fraud each year.

    The big rule

    Medicare NEVER calls or visits you uninvited. Never. If someone calls saying they're from Medicare — it's a scam.

    Common Medicare scams

    • "Free" knee/back braces — they bill Medicare $1,000+, ship junk, and you can't get a real one later.
    • "Free" DNA cancer test — billed at $9,000+. Most people qualify for nothing.
    • "New Medicare card" — there's no new card. Asking for your number = identity theft.
    • "Diabetic supplies" — unsolicited boxes of test strips and lancets billed to Medicare.
    • "Free" mobility scooter — same playbook as knee braces.
    • "COVID test kits" — even though COVID kits are free, scammers want your Medicare number to bill repeatedly.
    • Door-to-door agent "switching your plan" — illegal under CMS rules. Real agents can't cold-knock.

    Protect your Medicare number

    • Treat it like a Social Security number — because it CONTAINS a unique ID.
    • Never give it to a stranger, even one "from Medicare".
    • Only give to your doctor, hospital, pharmacy, or insurance plan.
    • Check Medicare Summary Notice every quarter for charges you don't recognize.
    • If stolen → call 1-800-MEDICARE.

    Red flags during open enrollment (Oct 15-Dec 7)

    • "Limited time! Today only!" — Medicare doesn't pressure.
    • Cold call about Medicare Advantage plan — illegal.
    • Door-knock "Medicare counselor" — illegal.
    • "Free dinner" Medicare seminar with hard sell — pause and call SHIP (free state Medicare counselors).

    Real help — free

    • 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — official Medicare line.
    • SHIP — State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Free, unbiased Medicare counselors. Find at shiphelp.org.
    • Senior Medicare Patrol — fraud reporting + education. smpresource.org.
    • Medicare.gov — official site, plan finder, claims.

    The 1-2-3

    1. Don't answer unknown calls. 2. Never give your Medicare number to a stranger. 3. Read your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice. Three habits stop 95% of Medicare scams.