Dr. Mehmet Oz warns that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers approximately $100 billion annually and urges seniors to protect their personal information from scammers.
Dr. Mehmet Oz has issued a stark warning regarding the rampant issue of Medicare fraud, which he estimates costs taxpayers around $100 billion each year. During a July 6 interview with Fox News Digital at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., Oz emphasized the dual threat posed by such fraud: it not only drains taxpayer dollars but also jeopardizes the personal identities of American seniors.
“If I had to just pick one thing to focus on to make healthcare more affordable in America, I’d go to health fraud and all the waste and abuse that accompanies it,” said Oz, who currently serves as the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). He noted that the problem has intensified since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medicare fraud can take various forms, including billing for services that were never rendered, overcharging for medical equipment, utilizing stolen patient or doctor information, and performing unnecessary medical procedures. According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office, these fraudulent activities not only harm the federal budget but also expose seniors to identity theft, unnecessary medical care, increased premiums, and reduced access to essential services.
Oz highlighted that the Trump administration had ramped up efforts to combat this issue, leading to significant savings in Medicare program integrity. In 2025, CMS reported $41.9 billion in savings, a 59% increase from $26.3 billion in 2024.
During the interview, Oz expressed particular concern for seniors, noting that they are often the primary targets of scammers. “I’m talking about people tricking seniors into giving up their Medicare beneficiary numbers, which is like a credit card basically,” he explained. “These scammers can take those numbers and use them for all kinds of illegitimate purposes.”
He elaborated on the tactics used by fraudsters, stating, “People are stealing from you by pretending to send you drugs you don’t want, wheelchairs you don’t need, and services you never asked for or don’t benefit from.” To combat this, Oz offered crucial advice for seniors: do not share your Medicare beneficiary number with anyone, do not respond to calls from unknown numbers, and do not disclose personal information.
“These scammers are calling seniors, tricking them, and once they have key information, they can steal it,” he warned. “And I won’t know it and you won’t know it.” He stressed the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals who rely on Medicare and similar programs.
Oz further emphasized that eliminating fraud could significantly enhance the sustainability of Medicare. “Removing fraud could double the life expectancy of the trust fund that makes all this possible,” he predicted. He urged individuals to consider the implications of ongoing fraud, particularly for future generations. “If you’re worried about Medicare being there when you’re ready to retire in a couple of decades, depending on how old you are, and you’re concerned that it might not last because of all the fraud that’s hitting it… you’ve got a good reason to worry,” he said.
By addressing the issue of fraud, Oz believes that future beneficiaries, including children and grandchildren, could continue to benefit from this vital safety net program.
For more information on Medicare fraud and how to protect yourself, consult resources from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
According to Fox News.