Does Medicare Call You At Home?

With the rise of scammers, telephone sales and call centers, many seniors have been mislead into thinking they are receiving calls from Medicare. Some of these phone calls may be scams and some may be sales calls from insurance agents. Unfortunately, it can be hard to tell the difference. Some agencies will have names that include the word “Medicare” or sound very similar to create a connection with the clients from the introduction. Many scammers will say they are calling from Medicare.

It is important to know neither Medicare nor Social Security will ever call you at home. Instead they will send you a letter in the mail.

Medicare and Social Security are committed to safeguarding your personal information and privacy. Understanding their communication protocols is essential to distinguishing legitimate communication from potential scams.

Communication Guidelines

First and foremost, it's vital to know that Medicare and Social Security will never call you to request personal or private information. Instead, they use written notices. For instance, if there's an issue with your benefits or they need more information, you'll receive a letter by mail. This approach allows you time to review and respond appropriately, and it provides a physical document for reference, and gives information on contacting the correct department.

These organizations will never threaten to cancel your benefits over the phone. Such threats are common tactics employed by scammers. If you receive such a call, it's likely fraudulent.

Moreover, both Medicare and Social Security do not send unsolicited emails requesting personal information. Any email from these agencies should be expected and part of ongoing correspondence. If you receive an unexpected email that appears to be from them, do not click links or download attachments. Instead, contact the respective agency directly to verify the email's authenticity.

Both Medicare and Social Security offer secure online portals at MyMedicare.gov and My Social Security. You can access personal information, benefits, and make necessary changes through these platforms. Always ensure you're visiting the official sites by verifying the URLs and avoid clicking links in emails or unsolicited pop-ups.

Medicare Phone Calls

While Medicare primarily communicates via mail, there may be exceptions. For example, insurance companies may call to discuss Medicare Advantage plans if you've shown interest, perhaps by filling out an online form. These companies should clearly state that while they may be calling about Medicare Advantage plans they are not calling from Medicare.

However, unsolicited calls claiming to be from Medicare, especially asking for personal or financial details, are almost certainly fraudulent. Medicare will never call to sell you anything or request your Medicare number over the phone.

Medicare Recorded Calls

Automated calls with prerecorded messages, are a pervasive issue, especially targeting seniors. Medicare-related robocalls can vary, offering anything from free medical equipment to warning of suspicious account activity. If you receive an unsolicited recording asking for personal information, it's likely fraudulent.

To combat these calls, hang up immediately if a call feels suspicious. Do not engage with prompts. If these calls persist, consider using a call blocking app or service, offered by many phone providers. Never share personal information over the phone, especially with unsolicited or robocalls.

Recognizing and Reporting Scams

Scammers often impersonate Medicare representatives to obtain personal information. Common tactics include offering free health services, requesting Medicare number confirmation, claiming account suspicious activity, or threatening benefits cancellation.

Recognizing these scams is the important first step. Be wary of unexpected calls demanding immediate action, especially involving personal or financial information. Legitimate Medicare representatives will not make unsolicited calls for sensitive information.

If you suspect a scam, report it. Your report could prevent others from falling victim. Use the FTC's Report Fraud Tool online or call 1-877-FTC-HELP, providing details like the call date, time, phone number, and caller's information.

In the fight against Medicare scams, knowledge is power. Recognize scams and report them promptly to protect yourself and contribute to broader efforts against fraud. Stay vigilant, and remember, it's better to be safe than sorry.

How to Stop Medicare Scam Calls

While there is no way to block these calls completely, to reduce unwanted calls, consider adding your number to the FTC's National Do Not Call Registry. Simply visit the website, click 'Register Your Phone,' provide your details, and confirm via email. This registry limits sales calls but may not block all unsolicited calls, such as political, charitable, debt collection, informational, or survey calls.

Keep in mind that responding to advertisements on social media, internet sites, or tv commercials can open doors for insurance agencies to call about the advertised benefits. This information can be shared with multiple agencies causing many seniors phones to ring all day long. I always encourage my clients to take a picture or note of the ads they see that sound interesting. This way they can share them with me directly and we can discuss the validity of what’s being advertised and if my client is eligible. Avoiding these online advertisements may also help in reducing the amount of scam/sales calls.

How to Contact Medicare

The official phone number for Medicare is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For TTY users, the number is 1-877-486-2048. These lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The official website for Medicare is Medicare.gov. The Medicare website has a wealth of information for specific plan details and also general Medicare knowledge. It is THE resource for verifying information about Medicare. The site now has a live chat feature as well.

You can also send a letter to Medicare to the following address:

Medicare Contact Center Operations

P.O. Box 1270

Lawrence, KS 66044

In conclusion, Medicare will not call you at home to ask for Medicare number or other personal information. If you are ever unsure of the validity of a call, it is best to hang up and contact Medicare directly through one of the above methods before proceeding with any personal information.

These unwanted calls can be frustrating, and even dangerous; by understanding Medicare’s methods of contact you can better protect yourself against scam calls.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 321-261-4681 if you have any questions. We are dedicated to taking care of all of your needs. From plan selection to answering questions about questionable advertisements, we are here to help guide you.