National Report Medicare Fraud Day
September 12
About National Report Medicare Fraud Day
National Report Medicare Fraud Day takes place every year on 12 September and encourages people across the United States to recognise, refuse and report Medicare fraud. The day aims to protect both taxpayers and the programme’s beneficiaries by raising awareness of how fraud happens and how ordinary citizens can take action. It also highlights the legal protections and financial rewards available to whistleblowers who come forward.
What is National Report Medicare Fraud Day?
National Report Medicare Fraud Day is an awareness day dedicated to combating fraud within the Medicare system, the federal health insurance programme primarily serving Americans aged 65 and over. The day educates the public on the warning signs of fraud, such as billing for services never provided, and explains the steps involved in reporting it correctly. It is aimed at beneficiaries, their families, healthcare workers and anyone who wants to help safeguard public money.
When is National Report Medicare Fraud Day?
National Report Medicare Fraud Day falls on Saturday, 12 September 2026. It is observed on the same date every year, making it a consistent annual reminder to stay vigilant against healthcare fraud.
Why National Report Medicare Fraud Day Matters
Medicare fraud diverts enormous sums of money away from the patients who depend on the programme. Estimates suggest that around ten percent of all Medicare spending is lost to fraud, which translates into tens of billions of dollars every year. The scale of the problem, and the impact of action against it, was underscored in the 2025 fiscal year, when the US Department of Justice recovered a record 6.8 billion dollars in False Claims Act settlements and judgments, with 5.7 billion dollars of that total coming from healthcare-related matters. Whistleblowers played a central role, filing 1,297 qui tam lawsuits that year, the highest number ever recorded.
How to Get Involved in National Report Medicare Fraud Day
There are several practical ways to support the cause and protect yourself and others.
- Learn the warning signs – Familiarise yourself with common red flags, such as charges for equipment or services you never received, or providers offering free services in exchange for your Medicare number.
- Review your statements – Check your Medicare Summary Notices carefully against the care you actually received, and question anything that looks wrong.
- Guard your Medicare number – Treat your Medicare card like a credit card and never share your number with unsolicited callers or salespeople.
- Report suspected fraud – Contact Medicare or the relevant authorities if you spot something suspicious. Reporting promptly helps stop fraud before it spreads.
- Understand whistleblower protections – The False Claims Act allows individuals to report fraud through qui tam provisions and can offer financial rewards to those whose information leads to recoveries.
- Help an older relative – Many beneficiaries are seniors who may be targeted by scammers. Offering to review their statements with them can make a real difference.
- Share the message – Spread awareness within your community so more people know how to spot and report fraud.
History of National Report Medicare Fraud Day
National Report Medicare Fraud Day was founded in 2017 by The Hesch Firm, LLC. The day grew out of the work of founding attorney Joel D. Hesch, who spent more than 15 years working in the US Department of Justice’s whistleblower reward office before entering private practice.
Drawing on that experience, Hesch wanted to ensure that ordinary people understood how to report Medicare fraud properly and how to qualify for a reward under the law. He wrote a free e-book and created a dedicated website to guide whistleblowers through the process, and established the awareness day to give the cause a focused annual platform.
Since then, the day has been embraced by consumer protection offices, financial advisers and healthcare advocates across the country, who use 12 September to publish guidance, host events and remind beneficiaries to stay alert. The aim throughout has been to turn awareness into action, encouraging people not just to recognise fraud but to report it.
Noteworthy Facts About National Report Medicare Fraud Day
- The day was founded in 2017 by The Hesch Firm, LLC.
- Founder Joel D. Hesch previously spent over 15 years in the DOJ’s whistleblower reward office.
- An estimated ten percent of all Medicare spending is lost to fraud each year.
- In fiscal year 2025, the DOJ recovered a record 6.8 billion dollars under the False Claims Act, with 5.7 billion dollars from healthcare matters.
- Whistleblowers filed 1,297 qui tam lawsuits in 2025, the highest annual total ever recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Report Medicare Fraud Day?
It is an annual US awareness day held on 12 September that encourages people to recognise and report Medicare fraud, and informs them of the whistleblower protections available under the law.
When is National Report Medicare Fraud Day in 2026?
National Report Medicare Fraud Day is on Saturday, 12 September 2026. It is held on the same date every year.
Who founded National Report Medicare Fraud Day?
The day was founded in 2017 by The Hesch Firm, LLC, led by attorney Joel D. Hesch, a former member of the DOJ’s whistleblower reward office.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing National Report Medicare Fraud Day with your friends, family and followers. Use the hashtags #ReportMedicareFraud and #ReportMedicareFraud2026 on social media. The more people who know how to spot and report fraud, the more public money can be protected. Protecting older relatives is a key part of the message, so you might also value National Longevity Day, which focuses on healthy ageing and wellbeing.
Related Awareness Days
- National Longevity Day – Focuses on healthy ageing, a cause closely tied to protecting seniors from fraud.
- Drowning Prevention Week – Another safety and prevention campaign built around protecting people from avoidable harm.
- International Self-Care Day – Encourages people to take active steps to look after their own health and security.
Links
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