Healthcare Fraud Alert
Protect Yourself from Medicare Scams
Medicare scam calls are on the rise nationwide. These scams often involve unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages from individuals pretending to represent Medicare, a healthcare provider, or another official organization. Their goal is to steal your personal or financial information—including your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account details.
At Intercoastal Medical Group, your security and peace of mind matter to us. While this is not specific to our practice, we want to help you stay informed and protected.
What Intercoastal Will—and Won’t—Do
We may ask for personal or payment information when you initiate or expect a call from us—for example, to confirm an appointment or process a payment. However, we will never request sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank account details by unsolicited phone call, email, or text.
Intercoastal Medical Group will never:
- Contact you from unverified phone numbers or addresses.
- Promote or offer unsolicited genetic testing, medical supplies, or other services.
Note: Intercoastal Medical Group does not outsource services overseas. If something feels off, hang up and call your doctor’s office directly. We are always happy to verify.
How to Identify Medicare Scam Calls
- Unsolicited contact – If you receive a call claiming to be from Medicare or your doctor's office, but you didn’t initiate it, it could be a scam.
- Requests for sensitive information – Medicare and legitimate healthcare providers will never call you out of the blue to ask for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or bank account details.
- Pressure tactics – Scammers may try to rush you—claiming you’ll lose a refund or your benefits will be canceled if you don’t act quickly.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers – Beware of offers for new Medicare cards, pre-approved plans, or free medical supplies in exchange for personal information.
- Refund or overpayment claims – Scammers may claim you're owed a refund but ask for your banking information to “process” it.
What is Caller ID Spoofing?
What you should know
- Scammers may use technology to make it appear that the call is coming from a local number—even one that looks like your doctor’s office.
- If you’re ever unsure:
- Ask for the caller’s name, department, and extension.
- Hang up.
- Call your Intercoastal office directly to confirm.
Need Help or Have Questions?
Call your Intercoastal physician’s office anytime to verify communications. We're here to support your safety and care.
Resources to Report Medicare Scams, Fraud & Abuse
Medicare Fraud Hotline: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP): 1-877-808-2468 or visit https://www.smpresource.org/
FCC Complaint Hotline: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
File a Complaint Online: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/
AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 1-877-908-3360
https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/
- Offers scam alerts & education, and free fraud helpline for seniors.
- Has an interactive scam-tracking map