• To contact your local SMP, you can use the state locator to find their website, email, or phone number. You can also call the national toll-free number, 1-877-808-2468. 

• Medicare can answer questions about coverage, claims on your Medicare statements, or your medical records. They can also replace your Medicare card if yours is lost.
  • Visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227).
• The SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) can answer Medicare questions about coverage, assist with an appeal (requesting a service or product be covered after it was denied), and help compare plans.
  • Visit shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675 for help.

If you know the provider, please contact them (doctor, lab, or supplier) to ask about the charge. It might have been billed in error. If you don’t recognize the provider, contact the SMP. 

• If the provider doesn’t fix the charge or you think it is still wrong, contact your state’s SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol), who can help you.
• Use the state locator to find your local SMP
• Report potential fraud using the form found here.

Contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) to report it.

• Use the State Locator to find your SMP.
• Call 1-877-808-2468 

• Report potential fraud using the form found here.

• Legitimate places like Medicare or the Social Security Administration already have your information so they would not need to ask for it. 

• Another thing to note is that government programs like Medicare or Social Security won’t call you. They will mail you information rather than call you for information.
• Listen for these red flags and hang up if you hear one.
  • Someone asks for your:
    • Medicare number – or to confirm your number
    • Social Security number
    • Credit card number or the three-digit number on the back
    • Bank account number
  • They say the offer is only good today. A real company will give you time to think and verify.
  • They say they need money, but you can’t tell anyone about the call.
  • They ask for payment using a gift card. 

• If you lost your card and do not think it was stolen, contact Medicare to report it and get a new card.
  • Print your own card through your account at www.medicare.gov
  • Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227
• If you think there is a chance your card was stolen or someone might find it, contact your local SMP.
  • Find your SMP
  • Call 1-877-808-2468

• To learn who to contact based on your unique situation, visit Medicare’s website.
• The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) helps with Medicare questions, can help you choose which plan(s) are best for you, and can help you sign up for Medicare.
  • Learn more at shiphelp.org
  • Call 1-877-839-2675

• The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) helps with Medicare questions, can help you choose which plan(s) are best for you, and can help you sign up for Medicare.
  • Visit shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675

• These ads are for Medicare Advantage plans that may offer additional benefits like dental and vision. A Medicare Advantage plan replaces traditional Medicare.
• Before calling these numbers or changing plans, talk with someone who is not getting paid to sign you up for one of their options.
• The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is free and can help you find the best plan for your health and budget.
  • Learn more at shiphelp.org or call 1-877-839-2675

• Contact your state’s Beneficiary and Family Centered Care Quality Improvement Organization (BFCC-QIO). QIOs investigate these complaints, gather facts from all parties involved, and recommend action to help providers and suppliers improve quality of care.
  • Find your BFCC-QIO

• The long-term care ombudsman helps fix issues related to the health, safety, welfare, and rights of individuals who live in long-term care facilities like nursing homes.
  • Find the long-term care ombudsman in your state

• Report consumer scams like grandparent scams, lottery scams, or impersonation scams (where people pretend to be the police, the IRS, Social Security, etc.) to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  • Report a consumer scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 877-382-4357
• Report scams in relation to a natural disaster like a flood, hurricane, earthquake, or a man-made disaster like a shooting, terrorist attack, or others to the Department of Justice.
  • Report a natural disaster scam at justice.gov/disaster-fraud or call 1-866-720-5721
• Also, report scams to local law enforcement and even the local news so they can alert others.

• Act quickly to report identity theft and get a recovery plan. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a special website to help.
  • Report identity theft at identitytheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338

• The Eldercare Locator can help you find resources or services like in-home benefits (like home-delivered meals or homemaking) or community support services (like food banks and heat assistance), housing, rights of older persons, insurance and benefits, health, and transportation.
  • Find resources at Eldercare Locator.