TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | APRIL 15-21, 2022
27
Protect yourself from Medicare scams
How to report scammers
Reporting Medicare fraud protects you and millions of
other people with Medicare and those with disabilities. If
you or someone you know have experienced Medicare fraud
or suspect an offer you’ve received is a scam, report it as
soon as possible. You will never be in trouble for reporting
fraud.
To learn more about Medicare fraud, visit Medicare.
gov/fraud. To report potential Medicare fraud, you can call
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report the scam to the
Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
— Courtesy of BPT
Since 1965, Medicare has provided health care coverage
to millions of Americans. Almost 64 million people
in the United States were enrolled in Medicare as
of October 2021, with more people becoming eligible
and enrolling each year. Anyone on Medicare is at risk of
Medicare-related fraud, and the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to warn people to watch
out for scammers who steal Medicare Numbers and other
personal information to exploit beneficiaries’ benefits.
Broadly speaking, Medicare fraud occurs when someone
makes false claims for health care services, procedures
and equipment to obtain Medicare payments. Medicare
fraud costs taxpayers billions of dollars and puts the health
and welfare of beneficiaries at risk. The impact of these
losses and risks is expanding as Medicare continues to
serve a growing number of beneficiaries.
“Medicare fraud is a serious issue that has affected millions
of people in our country,” said CMS Administrator
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “Anyone on Medicare is at risk of
being a target of Medicare fraud, so you should use the CMS
fraud tips to stay alert to protect yourself. By being aware
of potential scams and reporting any you come across,
you can do your part to protect yourself and others from
Medicare fraud.”
How to spot Medicare scams
There are many types of Medicare scams, taking the
form of unsolicited emails, phone calls, text messages, social
media posts and phony websites. Scammers often claim
to be from the Medicare office, an insurance company or a
government office. They’ll ask for your personal and financial
information, such as your Medicare or Social Security
Number, so that they can submit false claims for payment.
Remember that Medicare will never call, text, email or
contact you through social media asking for your Medicare
Number.
Some common Medicare scams to watch out for include:
* Offers of “free” genetic testing
* Calls or emails about free medical equipment, such as a
knee brace, walker or cane
* Solicitations for other services, such as offers of “paid”
clinical research trials
While this is not a comprehensive list, these examples
give you an idea of how to spot potential Medicare fraud.
Scammers will do their best to present these services and
products as genuine in exchange for your Medicare Number.
How to protect yourself
Now that you know how to spot Medicare fraud, you’ll
need to know how to protect yourself from potential fraudsters.
Remember to:
* Guard your Medicare Number just like your Social Security
card and credit card
* Share your Medicare Number only with trusted health
care providers
* Review your Medicare statements, watch for services
billed that look suspicious, and ask questions if something
looks wrong
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