Stay Aware of Fraud and Scams
Unfortunately, there are a number of fraud artists and scams that target the aging population. We are here to help you stay safe from these common tactics.
Missouri Fraud Prevention Fact
May 2025
Sadly, Medicare scams by phone happen every day. Remember that Medicare will never cold call you and ask for your personal information. When in doubt, hang up and call Medicare at (800) 633-4227.
Stay Ahead of Scammers by Keeping Track of Your Medical Appointments
Use My Health Care Tracker to record doctor visits and procedures.
One of the most important habits to keep your Medicare account safe from fraud is to keep track of your medical visits and procedures. Doing so also helps your visits go more smoothly.
To help you keep a record of these, the Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) offers a free tool called My Health Care Tracker to beneficiaries. Using My Health Care Tracker can help you make sure the health care services, tests, and/or medical equipment items you receive are listed correctly on your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB). With this valuable tool, you:
Protect you and your health care benefits from fraud, errors, and abuse. Using the tracker may reduce the amount you owe and help prevent your medical identity from being stolen.
Have a place where you can record physicians’ and procedure appointments. You can record the date, length of visit, medical provider, and reason for the visit.
Have space to write the names of the tests such as X-rays, blood drawn, urine testing, and ultrasound, prescribed medicine, and equipment your doctor ordered.
Once you receive your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB), compare the information, and you can check to make sure that Medicare or your Advantage plan was billed according to the information in the My Health Care Tracker.
Contact your provider or local Senior Medicare Patrol office if you need help comparing your completed tracker with your MSN or EOB, if you find discrepancies, or if you were billed twice for the same visit, test, equipment, or prescription.
You can get your free My Health Care Tracker by calling (888) 515-6565.
The Missouri SMP is here to provide you with information you need to protect, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. If you think you or a loved one has been a target of a Medicare scam, call the Missouri SMP at 888-515-6565.
Call (888) 515-6565 to report suspected Medicare or Medicaid fraud, errors, or abuse.
This project was supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $662,347 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government
