New York Seniors Warned of Remote Patient Monitoring Scams

Non-profit organization educates older adults on how to identify and report fraudulent activities targeting Medicare beneficiaries.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:08am

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An extreme close-up of the translucent, ghostly X-ray image of a medical device, conceptually representing the hidden flaws that allow scammers to exploit remote patient monitoring services and defraud Medicare.An X-ray view of a medical device reveals the hidden vulnerabilities that scammers exploit to defraud Medicare.NYC Today

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council, a 54-year-old non-profit organization, has announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month for April: Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) scams. These scams involve seniors receiving unsolicited calls, texts, or online ads offering 'free' medical devices, then having Medicare billed for equipment, set-up, and monitoring services they never requested or received.

Why it matters

Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year, and scams targeting seniors are a growing concern. The StateWide Senior Action Council aims to educate older adults on how to identify and report these types of fraudulent activities.

The details

In the RPM scam, seniors are contacted by someone claiming to be from Medicare, a pharmacy, or a doctor's office, and are offered a 'free' medical device like a blood pressure cuff or glucose monitor. The caller then asks for the senior's Medicare number and personal information, and the senior may unknowingly be signed up for monitoring services they did not request. Medicare is then billed for the equipment, set-up, and monthly monitoring, even though none of these services were provided.

  • The StateWide Senior Action Council announced its Medicare Fraud of the Month program in 2022 to highlight scams targeting seniors in New York.

The players

New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide)

A 54-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs and well-being of New York's more than 3.6 million senior citizens.

Maria Alvarez

Executive Director of the New York StateWide Senior Action Council.

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What they’re saying

“Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) is a legitimate service that allows your doctor to track your health using devices like blood pressure cuffs or glucose monitors from home. But scammers are exploiting this service to bill Medicare for care never needed or received.”

— Maria Alvarez, Executive Director, New York StateWide Senior Action Council

“If seniors have been contacted by a scammer or suspect Medicare fraud, they should report it to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)! Call our Helpline! Contact the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 800-333-4374, or visit www.nysenior.org. We have trained counselors to help Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against Medicare fraud.”

— Maria Alvarez, Executive Director, New York StateWide Senior Action Council

What’s next

Seniors who have been contacted by a scammer or suspect Medicare fraud should report it to the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) by calling 800-333-4374 or visiting www.nysenior.org.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of Medicare fraud targeting vulnerable senior citizens, and the importance of organizations like the New York StateWide Senior Action Council in educating and empowering older adults to identify and report these scams.