Medicare fraud and scams in Oklahoma

What are the warning signs of Medicare fraud?

Medicare.gov lists these red flags:

• Calls or visits offering to sell you something. Medicare does not call or come to your home to sell anything.
• Offers of money or gifts in exchange for medical care, or promises that a test or piece of equipment won't cost you anything if you just share your Medicare number.
• Someone other than your doctor reviewing your medical records or recommending services.
• Pressure to join a Medicare health or drug plan over the phone, unless you called and asked for help.
• Statements listing services or supplies you didn't get. Compare your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits with your calendar.

Which scams target people with Medicare in Oklahoma?

Catheters and supplies you never ordered

On March 23, 2026, the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) issued a consumer alert: since January 1, 2026, 12 Oklahomans on Medicare had reported that their Medicare Summary Notices showed charges for more than 15,000 urinary catheters in all. OID says scammers get Medicare numbers through unsolicited phone calls, emails or online ads, then bill Medicare for supplies that were never ordered or delivered. It advises:

• Read your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits carefully; it's often the only way to spot this kind of fraud.
• Create a Medicare.gov account so you can see claims as they're processed instead of waiting for mailed statements.
• Don't assume a charge is valid just because a doctor's name is on it.
• Report charges for items you didn't receive or your doctor didn't order.

Braces and genetic tests

The HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) warns about callers and ads promising people with Medicare a back or knee brace, or a cheek-swab genetic test, that "won't cost you anything." If you give or confirm your Medicare number, a brace or test kit may arrive that you didn't want and don't need, and Medicare is billed. If Medicare denies a genetic test claim, you could owe the full cost. Federal law generally bars medical equipment suppliers from making unsolicited calls to people with Medicare about covered items. Refuse or return anything your own doctor didn't order, and report it.

Callers who say they're "from Medicare"

Medicare.gov warns about pressure to join a Medicare health or drug plan over the phone when you didn't ask for help. Some callers pretend to work for Medicare or a government office. Take your time, ask for the caller's name and license number, and check whether they're a licensed insurance agent in Oklahoma by calling the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071. If someone enrolled you in a plan you didn't choose, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Storm and disaster scams

After tornadoes and ice storms, scammers pose as government inspectors, aid workers or contractors. FEMA says it never charges a fee for an inspection or to apply for disaster assistance, and real FEMA inspectors carry official photo ID and don't ask for bank information. If you get a FEMA letter but never applied, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362; someone may have used your information. See tornadoes, ice storms and Medicare.

How do I report Medicare fraud in Oklahoma?

About the Oklahoma Senior Medicare Patrol

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) helps people with Medicare, their families and caregivers prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. In Oklahoma, the SMP is run by the Oklahoma Insurance Department under a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It trains volunteers to help older Oklahomans guard against fraud and can walk you through a confusing statement. Use it for fraud questions; for choosing a plan, see the options at the end of this page.

How can I protect myself?

1. Read every statement. Create a secure account on Medicare.gov to see Original Medicare claims as soon as they're processed, and read your plan's Explanation of Benefits.
2. Keep a calendar. Write down doctor visits, tests and equipment deliveries to compare with your statements.
3. Hang up on cold calls. Don't talk to callers about tests, braces, supplies, new Medicare cards or plan changes. Call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself if you're unsure.
4. Refuse deliveries you didn't order. Send them back and report them.
5. Check agents. Before you share information with someone selling a Medicare plan, confirm their Oklahoma license with OID.
6. Help a parent. Set up their Medicare.gov account together and review statements monthly. See helping a parent with Medicare.

If a scam left you in the wrong plan

If you were enrolled in a plan you didn't choose, call 1-800-MEDICARE first. Once that is sorted out, a licensed insurance agent who works with Benefits Life can explain plans from the companies they work with and when you can change, at no cost to you. You can request a call from a licensed insurance agent or find an independent licensed insurance agent. For appeals and other official contacts, see Medicare appeals in Oklahoma and Oklahoma Medicare contacts.

Sources

• Medicare.gov — Reporting Medicare fraud and abuse
• HHS Office of Inspector General — Report fraud
• HHS-OIG — Fraud alert: genetic testing scam
• HHS-OIG — Fraud alert: nationwide brace scam
• HHS-OIG — Special fraud alert: telemarketing by medical equipment suppliers
• Oklahoma Insurance Department — Consumer alert: Medicare catheter supply scam (March 23, 2026)
• Oklahoma Insurance Department — Senior Medicare Patrol: report a concern
• Oklahoma Insurance Department — About the Senior Medicare Patrol
• Oklahoma Insurance Department — Anti-Fraud Unit
• SMP National Resource Center
• Oklahoma Health Care Authority — Report fraud
• FEMA — Disaster fraud

Frequently asked questions

Medicare in your Oklahoma county

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