If you believe you or a family member was fraudulently enrolled in hospice:
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) immediately. To report fraud directly: HHS Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). Do not wait.
What the Fraud Looks Like
In 2024, CMS revoked or deactivated hundreds of hospice providers for improper activity — including more than 200 enrollment revocations in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas alone. One ProPublica investigation documented a Medicare beneficiary with dementia being enrolled in hospice without her family's knowledge or consent. The provider billed Medicare for months while the family could not reach anyone at the agency.
A California state audit found a single two-story building in Los Angeles County housing more than 100 separately licensed hospice agencies. Individual fraud cases in FY 2023 included a $17 million sham hospice scheme and a separate $24 million Medicare fraud conviction involving services never delivered.
Warning Signs — Check All of These
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Unsolicited contact without a physician referral
Legitimate hospices are found through your doctor, a hospital discharge planner, or a trusted resource. They do not cold-call families, visit homes uninvited, or recruit through third-party brokers paid per enrollment.
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Pressure to sign enrollment paperwork quickly
Hospice enrollment requires an informed decision and a physician's certification of terminal illness. Any pressure to sign before you've spoken with your doctor or reviewed documents with your family is a reason to stop completely.
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You cannot reach anyone after enrollment begins
Legitimate hospices have named case managers and 24/7 after-hours protocols. If you cannot reach a real person by phone within a reasonable time after enrollment, document it and report it.
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Staff changes frequently with no explanation
Fraudulent hospices often operate with minimal actual staff, cycling through contractors or using borrowed credentials. Unexplained staff turnover in the first weeks of care is a documented fraud pattern.
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Services billed that were never provided
You can request an itemized statement of services billed to Medicare on your behalf. If you see services listed that were never delivered, report immediately to 1-800-MEDICARE.
How to Verify a Hospice Before You Enroll
CMS Hospice Compare
Search any Medicare-certified hospice at medicare.gov/care-compare. Check their quality measures, inspection history, and ownership information.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE
Medicare's helpline can confirm a hospice's certification status and flag any active investigations or recent compliance actions.
State Health Department
Your state's health department licenses hospices independently of CMS. A provider can lose state licensure while still appearing in federal databases.
Ask Your Hospital
Hospital discharge planners work with hospices daily and know which local providers have strong track records. Their recommendation carries real weight.
Report Fraud Now
If you suspect hospice fraud involving you or a family member, contact one of these resources immediately.