Stay Ahead of Medicare Fraudsters
Posted: October 16, 2024
Every day, criminals target older Americans with one goal – to steal their Medicare numbers and other protected health information. To fraudsters, this information is just as valuable as credit card information. Criminals steal Medicare numbers, at the same time unlawfully billing Medicare for services that were never provided. Additionally scammers will take the opportunity to overbill for provided services. In the event that criminals commit fraud in order to falsely bill Medicare, the patient’s medical records may become inaccurate. By doing so, this can result in delayed or denied care. In the end, Medicare fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year. Each dollar lost to fraud takes away resources intended for people with Medicare.
Protect Yourself
Scammers are getting creative and new scams are continually emerging. The best thing you can do is beware of people who contact you for your Medicare number or other personal information. Additionally, beneficiaries may be contacted by phone, text or email by someone posing as a trusted source. In brief, if someone you don’t know asks for your Medicare number, hang up or delete the message. At this point you have likely concluded this is a scam attempt.
Consider these tips to help protect yourself against Medicare fraud and stay ahead of fraudsters:
1. Guard your Medicare card just like your Social Security card and credit card.
2. Only share your Medicare information with your trusted health care providers.
3. Be skeptical of free gifts, free medical services, discount packages or any offer that sounds too good to be true.
4. Always check your Medicare claims statements to make sure they are accurate.
Watch Out for Medicare Hospice Fraud
Another tactic is offering in-home perks that Medicare does not provide with the intention of billing those services in the beneficiary’s name. Criminals are using every avenue they can to sign you up, in particular by using door-to-door visits, false advertising, phone, text and email. Hospice care is for people who are terminally ill. In any case, you and your doctor can make this serious decision if you need end-of-life care.
Finally, Remember this advice to avoid hospice scams:
· Your doctor is the only one who can certify you’re terminally ill (with a life expectancy of 6 months or less). It is equally important to realize that if you are not terminally ill, you should not be receiving hospice care.
· Never accept perks or gifts in return for signing up for hospice services.
· Be suspicious of offers for free services like housekeeping or cooking in return for your Medicare number. Medicare does not offer “free” services like this.
· Medicare will never come to your home.
Stay ahead of Medicare fraudsters by reporting Medicare Fraud
Reporting Medicare fraud protects you and millions of other people with Medicare and those with disabilities. In the event that you think you have been a target, report it as soon as possible. You will never be in trouble for reporting that you believe you’ve been scammed.
To learn more, visit Medicare.gov/fraud.
Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
The Missouri SMP is here to provide you with information you need to stay ahead of Medicare fraudsters by protecting, detecting, and reporting potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. In conclusion, if you think you or a loved one has been a target of a Medicare scam, call the Missouri SMP at 888-515-6565.
This project was supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $662,347 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government