Medical Appointment Scheduling Numbers
HIPAA Warning
Never provide your Social Security Number, Medicare ID, or insurance details to a phone number you cannot verify. Medical typo-squatters will use this information for medical identity theft.
Verified Central Booking Lines (National)
Many large healthcare networks use centralized booking lines. Here are the verified, safe numbers for several major national providers:
| Provider | Verified Number |
|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente (Member Services) | 1-800-464-4000 |
| Mayo Clinic (Central Appointment) | 507-538-3270 |
| Cleveland Clinic | 216-444-2273 |
How Medical Squatting Scams Work
A patient tries to dial their clinic's local 1-800 number but makes a single digit error. The squatter answers with a generic greeting: "Thank you for calling the scheduling department. How can I help you today?"
Because the patient expects they are talking to their clinic, they willingly hand over their name, date of birth, and insurance details when asked. The scammer then claims the appointment is booked and hangs up.
The "We Need a Deposit" Tactic
In a newer variation of this scam, the squatter will tell the patient that their insurance has lapsed or that they must pay a "booking deposit" over the phone via credit card to secure the specialist slot.
Verification Steps
- Always double-check the phone number against the back of your insurance card or your patient portal (like MyChart).
- If the person answering sounds generic and refuses to state the specific name of the hospital or clinic, hang up.
- Use our Verification Tool to check if the number you dialed has been reported for fraud.