Over the years, senior citizens in the US have been the victim of many scams and fraudulent activities. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid service (CMS) recently found an issue involving Medicare beneficiaries being assigned new Medicare numbers and sent new Medicare enrollment cards. The question that many beneficiaries are asking is whether their newly issued Medicare enrollment cards are legitimate. If these enrollment cards are not, what actions should these Medicare beneficiaries take?
Upon receiving a new Medicare enrollment card, a beneficiary is advised to first check for obvious signs of fraud or forgery. In addition to the new Medicare enrollment card, there will be a letter included in the envelope. A beneficiary should review and read the letter, and note the following:
- The logos for the Department of Health and Human Services and CMS appear to meet the broad identity standards.
- The letter does not ask for money or for personal information, and
- The letter does include the new Medicare enrollment card and Medicare Number.
The next step is to confirm that the new Medicare enrollment card is legitimate. To do so, the Medicare beneficiary should note the following:
- The card should be printed on paper, not plastic.
- The appearance should match the card on the Medicare.gov web site (https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/using-medicare/your-medicare-card) as shown here:
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Your card has a Medicare Number that is unique to you – it is not your Social Security Number. This helps protect your identity.
The card shows:
- The Medicare beneficiary has Medicare Part A (listed as HOSPITAL), Medicare Part B (listed as MEDICAL).
- The date the beneficiary’s coverage begins.
- A Medicare card does not require activation.
- A Medicare card should list the beneficiary’s name (spelled correctly) and dates Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B took effect.
For final verification, a Medicare beneficiary should:
- Log onto their Medicare account, click on “Get My Medicare Card” and reenter their password. The beneficiary should see the new card and number.
- A beneficiary who does not have a Medicare account should check their Benefit Verification Letter in their My Social Security account (https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/). The Social Security Administration automatically updates the Medicare verification letter when a Medicare Number changes.
- A Medicare beneficiary is also advised to call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm that the new card issued is legitimate.
Upon confirming that the new card is legitimate, a beneficiary should follow through on the three requests stated in the CMS letter, namely : (1) Start using the cared on the date noted; (2) Destroy the old Medicare enrollment card; and (3) Inform all of their providers (doctors, clinic, hospitals, etc.) of the Medicare enrolment card change.
Another Item on the “To-Do” List for Medicare Beneficiaries
There is another suggestion on the “to-do” list for Medicare beneficiaries: The need to monitor their medical claims for the following signs of fraud:
- Charges for service, laboratory tests, or medical equipment that the beneficiary never ordered or received. In 2025, the Department of Justice arrested individuals who made Medicare claims of $14.6 billion in fraudulent charges for durable equipment and catheter supplies.
- Dates for services that do not correspond to a beneficiary’s calendar for doctor or hospital visits.
- Medical providers that the beneficiary does not recognize, and
- Double billing for services.
For those beneficiaries who are enrolled in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B), they should check the accuracy of their claims in their Medicare.gov account. Those beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage should review the accuracy of their claims in their Explanation of Benefits statements.
Any Medicare beneficiary who suspects Medicare fraud should call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit online Report Fraud Online (https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse). Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D (Prescription Drugs) beneficiaries can also call the Investigation Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-772-3379.
Edward A. Zurndorfer is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant, Certified Employees Benefits Specialist and IRS Enrolled Agent in Silver Spring, MD. Tax planning, Federal employee benefits, retirement and insurance consulting services offered through EZ Accounting and Financial Services, and EZ Federal Benefits Seminars, located at 833 Bromley Street - Suite A, Silver Spring, MD 20902-3019 and telephone number 301-681-1652. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Edward A. Zurndorfer or EZ Accounting and Financial Services. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.
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Ed Zurndorfer, EA, ATA, CFP®, CLU®, ChFC®, CEBS®, ChFEBC℠: Federal Employee Benefits Expert
A former career Federal employee, Ed has published a staggering 1,200+ separate articles on Federal Benefits and Retirement!
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He is a member of the Maryland Society of Accountants, the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the International Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialists, the Financial Planning Association, the National Association of Health Underwriters,
and the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Since 1999, Ed has taught many thousands of Federal employees about
their benefits, in person and at Federal agencies all over the country. Ed is a true national treasure.
Edward A. Zurndorfer is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Federal Employee Benefits Consultant, Certified Employees Benefits Specialist and IRS Enrolled Agent in Silver Spring, MD. Tax planning, Federal employee benefits, retirement and insurance consulting services offered through EZ Accounting and Financial Services, and EZ Federal Benefits Seminars, located at 833 Bromley Street - Suite A, Silver Spring, MD 20902-3019 and telephone number 301-681-1652. Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Edward A. Zurndorfer or EZ Accounting and Financial Services. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional.