Medicaid recipients in Pennsylvania should 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 individuals enrolled in Medicaid. Starting with a text message claiming to be from “Health Services”, the scammer links the consumer to someone on the phone who demands payment information to continue health care coverage.
Prevent yourself from becoming a victim:
- Lookout for the following phone numbers involved in this scam. These numbers are not affiliated with the Department of Human Services: 855-572-6201, 863-222-9611, 224-258-0570, 833-369-2932, and 888-677-6074.
- 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.
- 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 legitimate DSH texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS, or a site that ends in .gov or .org.