What Medicare fraud looks like
- Calls, texts or emails claiming to be from Medicare and asking for your Medicare number. Medicare won't call you to sell you anything or visit your home.
- Medical equipment offered at no cost in exchange for your number, such as back or knee braces you never asked for.
- Genetic testing pitches, often a cheek-swab kit mailed or handed out at a public event.
- Bills for care you never got, which show up on your Medicare Summary Notice or your plan's Explanation of Benefits.
- Pressure to switch plans from a caller you didn't contact. Don't join a plan over the phone unless you made the call.
Where to report it
| What happened | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Suspected Medicare fraud or billing errors | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) |
| Fraud involving a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan | I-MEDIC, 1-877-772-3379 |
| Fraud against Medicare or other federal health programs | HHS Office of Inspector General, tips.oig.hhs.gov or 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) |
| Help spotting and reporting fraud | Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center, 1-877-808-2468 (weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Eastern) |
| OHP provider fraud | OHA Office of Program Integrity: online form, OPI.Referrals@oha.oregon.gov or 503-373-1771 (voicemail) |
| OHP member fraud | ODHS Fraud Investigations Unit at odhsfraudreferral.oregon.gov |
| Phone scams and identity theft | Oregon Department of Justice consumer hotline, 1-877-877-9392 |
| An insurance agent's conduct | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation, 1-888-877-4894 |
Before you call, have your Medicare card, the provider or caller's name, the date and the statement that shows the charge.
How to protect yourself
- Treat your Medicare number like a credit card number. Share it only with your doctors, pharmacy, plan and people you trust to act for you.
- Check each Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits against your own calendar of visits.
- Set up a Medicare.gov account to see Original Medicare claims as they're processed.
- Don't accept money or gifts in exchange for medical care.
Medicare's Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7) is busy season for sales calls. A licensed insurance agent must tell you they don't offer every plan in your area. If you want help comparing plans, you can request a call from a licensed insurance agent you choose yourself.
Related questions
How do I file a complaint about an insurance agent in Oregon?
DFR's consumer advocates.
How do I appeal a Medicare denial in Oregon?
The five levels and deadlines.
Medicare phone numbers for Oregon
Every number in one place.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse
- HHS Office of Inspector General — Report fraud
- SMP Resource Center — Contact the SMP Resource Center
- Oregon Health Authority — Report fraud, waste and abuse
- Oregon Department of Justice — Consumer protection
- Oregon Division of Financial Regulation — File a complaint
More questions in this guide
- How can I help my parent with Medicare in Oregon?
- How do I appeal a hospital discharge in Oregon if I'm not ready to go home?
- How do I appeal a Medicare denial in Oregon?
- How do I file a complaint about a Medicare insurance agent in Oregon?
- How do I find a licensed insurance agent for Medicare in Oregon?
- How do I find Medicare doctors in Oregon?
- What are the Medicare phone numbers for Oregon?
- Where is the Social Security office near me in Oregon?
Part of the guide: Medicare Appeals in Oregon · All questions
Frequently asked questions
What if I already gave my Medicare number to a scammer?
Call 1-800-MEDICARE right away and watch your Medicare statements for services you didn't get. If your number is misused, Medicare can issue you a new one.
Someone called saying my Medicare card is expiring. Is that a scam?
Yes. Medicare cards don't expire, and Medicare won't call you to sell anything or ask for your number out of the blue. Hang up and report the call.
Where do I report a pushy insurance agent?
Report sales problems with a Medicare plan to 1-800-MEDICARE, and agent conduct to the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation at 1-888-877-4894.
Medicare in your Oregon county
Plans, local agents and help, county by county: Multnomah · Washington · Clackamas · Lane · Marion · Jackson · Deschutes · Linn · Douglas · Yamhill · Benton · Polk · Josephine · Umatilla · Klamath · Coos · Columbia · Lincoln · Clatsop · Malheur · All 36 counties →
