Older adults in Hawai‘i face many challenges today and protecting your Medicare number is more important than ever. The high cost of living, fewer healthcare workers and rising Medicare scams put kūpuna at real risk for losing money or getting the wrong medical care.
Hawai‘i is one of the most expensive places to live and many kūpuna depend on fixed incomes. Housing, food, medicine and doctor visits continue to cost more each year. When someone charges your Medicare for care you didn’t receive or for services you didn’t need, those extra costs can be very hard to manage. Even small mistakes or false charges can add up and cause stress.
There are also not enough healthcare workers in many hospitals, clinics and homecare agencies, meaning longer wait times and rushed visits. Busy doctors and staff may make coding or billing mistakes. High turnover can also lead to confusion or poor communication, which can affect your care and your wallet.
Across the country, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion every year due to fraud and abuse. This money is lost because of false billing, scams and dishonest actions — not clerical mistakes. Scammers may try to steal your identity, offer fake medical equipment or “upcode,” which means billing Medicare for a more expensive service than what you received. Many older adults do not report suspicious activity because they feel embarrassed or worry about causing trouble. But reporting helps protect everyone.
Medical identity theft is one of the most serious problems. If someone uses your Medicare number, false information — like wrong diagnoses or treatments you never had — can be added to your medical record. This can lead to unsafe care in the future. Medicare may also deny real services if it thinks care was already provided.
However, there are easy steps you can take.
Treat your Medicare card like a credit card. Never share your Medicare or Social Security number with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly. Medicare will not call you to ask for your number or send a new card. Read your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits often and make sure the charges match the care you received. If something looks wrong, or if you need help, contact Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Hawai‘i at 1-800-296-9422 or visit smphawaii.org. SMP Hawai‘i can help you understand your benefits, report possible fraud and protect your identity. You can also ask about volunteer opportunities to help protect yourself and others.
Contact Hawai‘i State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free help with yourMedicare questions as we prepare for the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026).
SMP HAWAI‘I & HAWAI‘I SHIP
250 South Hotel St., Ste. 406, Honolulu, HI 96813
SMP HAWAI‘I
808-586-7281 | 1-800-296-9422 | smphawaii.org
HAWAI‘I SHIP
808-586-7299 | 1-888-875-9229 | hawaiiship.org
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