PENNSYLVANIA — Attorney General Michelle Henry is warning Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania to beware of a text message-based scam that alleges coverage has lapsed and payment is required.
The Office of Attorney General has learned of an increase in scammers sending the text messages to those enrolled in Medicaid. The scammers then link the consumer to someone on the phone who demands payment information to continue health care coverage.
This scam usually involves a text message from a company claiming to be from “Health Services,” “Health Solutions,” or “Innovative Partners.”
“Scams are constantly evolving and target consumers in a variety of ways, so we all have to be alert and vigilant when receiving unsolicited contact,” Attorney General Henry said. “A general rule of thumb is to never provide payment information over the phone, via text, or online — unless you have done your homework on the caller and are sure they are legitimate.”
Some of the phone numbers involved in this scam are 855-572-6201, 863-222-9611, 224-258-0570, 833-369-2932, and 888-677-6074. Those numbers are not affiliated with the Department of Human Services.
Suspicious calls or texts regarding Medicaid or other benefits programs overseen by the Department of Human Services should be reported to the DHS Fraud Tip-line at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477).
The Department of Human Services will not ask for a payment to process a Medicaid application or renewal except in limited circumstances (such as to pay a premium), and DHS will not request personal or account information over the phone, in email, or via text messages. DHS is required to give 15 days’ notice before the closure of a Medicaid case.
It is important to note that DHS does send informational text messages and phone calls to people who receive SNAP, Medicaid, and other benefits from the number 1-833-648-1964. However, DHS’ text messages will not include:
- Details about a person’s benefits, such as the amount of SNAP benefits they are authorized to receive;
- A request for specific personal information;
- Links to unofficial sites; most DHS texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS, or a site that ends in .gov or .org.
Pennsylvanians who have questions about whether a call, text, letter, or other communication is legitimate should contact their local County Assistance Office or the DHS Customer Service Center at 1-877-395-8930. Copies of legitimate communications sent by DHS about Medicaid renewals, as well as information about how Pennsylvanians can safely renew Medicaid coverage online, by mail, by phone, and in-person when their renewal is due is available at www.dhs.pa.gov/StayCovered.
For more information on scams related to public assistance programs please visit the Department of Human Services website.
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