Medicare fraud is at a record high. The years 2025 and 2026 have seen huge fraud losses and more enforcement actions than ever. Medicare wants you to know about medical identity theft. This serious crime occurs when someone uses your personal information without your consent for fraud or other crimes.
There are two main kinds of Medicare fraud: identity theft and providers billing for services you did not receive.
In late 2025 and early 2026, transnational criminal groups billed Medicare for millions of urinary catheters never ordered or received. Scammers used offers for “free” screenings or fake telehealth consults to get Medicare numbers and bill for unnecessary lab work.
Artificial Intelligence has helped fraudsters scale their crimes. Scammers now use AI to mimic loved ones’ or officials’ voices and trick seniors into sharing Medicare numbers. Some dishonest providers use AI to upcode (bill for pricier services than were provided) or to fabricate patient consent forms at a large scale.
Your vigilance is critical. The government urgently needs citizens to act as the first line of defense against these sophisticated frauds.
Always scrutinize your Medicare Summary Notice every month. If you find a charge for a doctor you never visited or equipment (like a catheter) you never received, do not ignore it—report it immediately. Failing to act could allow fraud to continue and spread.
Treat your Medicare number like a prized credit card—guard it fiercely. Never provide it to anyone who contacts you unsolicited, even if they claim they are from “the government.” One careless moment can enable a fraudster to exploit your benefits.
Be on high alert: There are absolutely no plans to issue new Medicare cards in 2026. Anyone who contacts you claiming you need a new “chip” or “security” card is a scammer and should be reported immediately. Do not be fooled by these false claims.
To report suspected Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse, you should contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). It is a specifically funded federal program designed to help seniors identify and stop fraud. In Minnesota, the SMP is administered through the Minnesota Board on Aging. Its toll-free Helpline is 800- 333-2433. Its website is https://mn.gov/aging-pathways/medicare/fraud/
To help SMP investigators, gather your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). Highlight the date, unknown provider, and “Amount Medicare Paid.” If you received suspicious mail, like a “free” genetic test or a box of catheters you didn’t order, keep the packaging and letters. If someone called claiming to be from Medicare, write down the date, time, and phone number shown on your caller ID.
SMP will review your claims to see if they are simple clerical errors or part of a larger criminal pattern. If they find evidence of fraud, they act as a “bridge” to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Department of Justice.
They give free talks at senior centers and community groups in Duluth, Two Harbors, and across the North Shore to keep people up to date on new local scams.
Since it is March 2026, be extra wary of calls about “New 2026 Medicare Benefits” or “New Digital Cards.” Scammers often use the new year or legislative news to create a false sense of urgency. Medicare never calls to “verify” your number to keep benefits active.
