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health
Protect yourself from Medicare scams
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 benefi ciaries’ benefi ts.
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 benefi ciaries at risk. Th e
impact of these losses and risks is expanding as
Medicare continues to serve a growing number
of benefi ciaries.
“Medicare fraud is a serious issue that has
aff ected 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
calls, text messages, social media posts and
Some common Medicare scams to watch out
fraud tips to stay alert to protect yourself. By
phony websites. Scammers oft en claim to be
for include:
being aware of potential scams and reporting
from the Medicare offi ce, an insurance company
* Off ers of “free” genetic testing
any you come across, you can do your part
or a government offi ce. Th ey’ll ask for
* Calls or emails about free medical equipment,
to protect yourself and others from Medicare
your personal and fi nancial information, such
such as a knee brace, walker or cane
fraud.”
as your Medicare or Social Security Number, so
* Solicitations for other services, such as offers
that they can submit false claims for payment.
of “paid” clinical research trials
How to spot Medicare scams
Remember that Medicare will never call,
While this is not a comprehensive list,
Th ere are many types of Medicare scams,
text, email or contact you through social media
these examples give you an idea of how to spot
taking the form of unsolicited emails, phone
asking for your Medicare Number.
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
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 off er 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.ft c.gov.
Information provided by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
— Courtesy of BPT
Elder Law Minute TM
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia
BY RONALD FATOULLAH, ESQ.
AND STACEY MESHNICK, ESQ.
Q: My 85-year-old widowed father was recently diagnosed
with dementia, which is worsening. He lives alone
in New York and my brother and I live in diff erent states.
We are overwhelmed and confused by information that
we are reading online. What are our options for helping
him and what are our next steps?
A: First of all, it is understandable that a dementia diagnosis
can be overwhelming and confusing. It is important
to gather a team of professionals who can help to guide
you and your father through this stressful time. Given that
you and your brother do not live in New York, if your father
does not plan to move to your state, it is advisable to retain
the services of a geriatric care manager (GCM). Geriatric care
managers (usually social workers and/or nurses) help to
implement and oversee a plan of care for individuals who
do not have family nearby.
Once you hire a GCM to help you establish a plan
of care, you should retain the services of an elder law
attorney. The attorney will be able to provide you with
the advice and documents necessary to execute the
plan established by you, Dad and the GCM.
The attorney will meet with your father (and you, if
Dad so wishes) and review Dad’s history, family tree, and
fi nances, in addition to discussing his goals and wishes
for now and for the future. In addition, the attorney will
obtain information from your father about his fi nances,
his health care, his wishes regarding the distribution of
his assets after his death, etc.
The most important document that the attorney
should prepare is the Power of Attorney, which will enable
you and/or your brother to step into Dad’s shoes
and manage his fi nances. Dad should also sign a Health
Care Proxy and Living Will with the attorney, which will
accomplish the goal of directing his health care in the
future should he be unable to express his wishes.
Once the attorney gathers all the pertinent information,
he or she can advise Dad (and you, if Dad so wishes) on
steps to preserve your father’s assets should he require
long term care in the future. This may involve transfers to
a trust, gifting assets outright, or a combination thereof.
The attorney will go over the tax ramifi cations, if any,
of the proposed options. As such, it is important to have
an accountant as part of the team.
Assembling the right team of professionals will help to make
a confusing time for Dad, you, and your brother a bit clearer.
ELDER LAW
Once an individual has been diagnosed with dementia
or Alzheimer’s disease, there is support and education
available to help the family and any caregivers navigate
the appropriate next steps. On Saturday, April 30, 2022,
the Long Island chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is
providing an in-person Legal & Financial Planning Conference
for people in the early stage of Alzheimer’s disease,
their care partners and family members. The conference
will be held at the Plainview Holiday Inn located at 215 Sunnyside
Blvd., Plainview, NY 11803, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Ronald Fatoullah, Esq. and other elder law attorneys will
be discussing various topics including Managing Money,
Advanced Directives and Guardianships, Medicaid, Institutional
Medicaid and Nursing Home Care, Asset Protection,
Trusts, and Protecting the Family Home. Free respite care
will be provided by Home Companion Services with activities
provided by Long Island Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Center (LIADC). Space is limited. Sign-in begins at 8:30 a.m.
A grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will also be provided.
The conference is free to attend, but registration is required.
Call 1-800-272-3900 to register.
Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. is the founder of Ronald Fatoullah
& Associates, a law firm that concentrates in elder
law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianships,
estate administration, trusts, wills, and real estate. Stacey
Meshnick, Esq. is a senior staff attorney at the firm and
supervises the Medicaid Department. The law firm can
be reached at 718-261-1700, 516-466-4422, or toll free at
1-877-ELDER-LAW or 1-877-ESTATES. Mr. Fatoullah is also
a partner with Brightside Advisors, a wealth management
firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles.
This summary is not legal advice and does not create
any attorney-client relationship. This summary does not
provide a defi nitive legal opinion for any factual situation.
Before the fi rm can provide legal advice or opinion to any
person or entity, the specifi c facts at issue must be reviewed
by the fi rm. Before an attorney-client relationship is formed,
the fi rm must have a signed engagement letter with a client
setting forth the Firm’s scope and terms of representation.
RONALD FATOULLAH
ESQ, CELA*
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/fraud
/c.gov
