Part 1 – 2026 Flu & Covid Vaccinations: Got both today. Signed up my on my providers site, same one since 2023. Filled out online forms. It’s good to keep hard copy records – they didn’t list the vaccinations I got last year !
All went mostly okay today, except the person who checked me in never asked for my Medicare card. Then the young lady who gives the shots presented me with a Point of Sale bill for $457, paused and asked “How are you paying for this?”. “Medicare” I replied, “same as the last 3 years”. She paused, asked for my Medicare card, got it, made data entries & changed my bill to $0. Same as the last 3 years. Keep your card handy!
Part 2 – Medicare Phone Scam: Back home, phone rang. No Caller ID, local number (likely spoofed). For fun, I answered the call on speaker and said nothing. Heard “Hello?” My dog toy/duck call noise maker was in another room so said “Hello”. Heard “This is Stephanie, calling about Direct Deposit Social Security new COLA Medicare Bonus of $220! You do have Medicare Part A & B?” I started to have fun with joke Bank Routing & SSN Numbers and Mother’s Maiden, “Myakinbut”, but just hung up.
It’s enough to drive you to drink – wait – great idea!
