As the country begins to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, there’s no doubt scammers are already scheming. Medicare and the U.S. Government covers the COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans, so there will be no cost to you. For Medicare or any health insurance recipients: If anyone asks you to share your Medicare or Health Insurance Number to pay for access to the vaccine, you can bet it’s a scam!
Here’s what you should know:
* You can’t pay to put your name on a list to get the vaccine.
* You can’t pay to get early access to a vaccine.
* Don’t share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for a fee.
Don’t share your personal or financial information if someone calls, texts, or emails you promising access to the vaccine for a fee.
Con artists may try to get your Medicare Number or personal information so they can steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone.
Learn more tips to help prevent Medicare fraud.
Protect yourself from Medicare fraud. Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card. Remember these tips:
* Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare Number or other personal information unless you’ve given them permission in advance.
* Medicare will never call you to sell you anything.
* You may get calls from people promising you things if you give them a Medicare Number. Don’t do it.
* Medicare will never visit you at your home.
* Medicare can’t enroll you over the phone unless you called first.
Check regularly for Medicare billing fraud. Review your Medicare claims and Medicare Summary Notices for any services billed to your Medicare Number you don’t recognize.
Learn more about how to spot and report fraud. Report anything suspicious to Medicare. If you suspect fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE.