Protecting Clients from Medicare Scams: What Every Agent Should Know
As trusted insurance professionals, one of our most important roles is helping clients stay safe—especially from the growing threat of Medicare scams.
Scammers use clever tactics to trick beneficiaries into revealing personal information. It’s crucial that we help educate our clients on what to look out for and how to respond. Here are common scam approaches reported to Medicare:
Red Flags to Watch For:
Scammers may call, text, or email with messages like:
- “You need to activate or renew your Medicare card.”
- “We’d like to send you a free genetic testing kit.”
- “Medicare has authorized us to send you a free (knee, back, or elbow) brace.”
- “You qualify for a refund on your Medicare costs.”
These messages may appear to come from legitimate sources, but caller IDs and email addresses can be faked. If something seems off, it probably is.
Remind Your Clients:
- Never give out your Medicare card or number to anyone except your doctor or trusted providers.
- Medicare will never contact beneficiaries unless they’ve contacted Medicare first.
- If in doubt, encourage them to call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to verify any suspicious outreach.
As agents, your guidance can make the difference between a protected client and one who falls victim to fraud. Consider sharing these tips in your next client email or appointment. Together, we can help keep Medicare safe and secure for those who depend on it.
