Protect yourself from Medicare scams

Since 1965, Medicare has supplied well being care protection to thousands and thousands of People. Greater than 65 million individuals in the US have been enrolled in Medicare as of February 2023, with extra individuals turning into eligible and enrolling annually. Anybody on Medicare is vulnerable to Medicare-related fraud, and the Medicare program continues to warn individuals to be careful for scammers who steal Medicare Numbers and different private data to take advantage of beneficiaries’ advantages.

Broadly talking, Medicare fraud happens when somebody makes false claims for well being care companies, procedures and gear to acquire Medicare funds. Medicare fraud prices taxpayers billions of {dollars} and places the well being and welfare of beneficiaries in danger. The affect of those losses and dangers is increasing as Medicare continues to serve a rising variety of beneficiaries.

“Anybody on Medicare is usually a goal of Medicare fraud,” mentioned Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure. “However there are steps you may take to guard your self and your family members through the use of CMS’ fraud tricks to acknowledge and report potential scammers. Let’s all work collectively to ensure you’re not a sufferer of Medicare fraud.”

Methods to Spot Medicare Scams

There are a lot of kinds of Medicare scams, taking the type of unsolicited emails, telephone calls, textual content messages, social media posts and phony web sites. Scammers typically declare to be from the Medicare workplace, an insurance coverage firm or a authorities workplace. They’ll ask on your private and monetary data, comparable to your Medicare or Social Safety Quantity, in order that they’ll submit false claims for cost.

Keep in mind that Medicare won’t ever name, textual content, e mail or contact you thru social media asking on your Medicare Quantity.

Some widespread Medicare scams to be careful for embrace:

Presents of “free” genetic testing

Calls or emails about free medical gear, comparable to a knee brace, walker or cane

Solicitations for different companies, comparable to presents of “paid” scientific analysis trials

Whereas this isn’t a complete listing, these examples offer you an thought of the way to spot potential Medicare fraud. Scammers will do their greatest to current these companies and merchandise as real in change on your Medicare Quantity.

Methods to Defend Your self

Now that you understand how to identify Medicare fraud, you’ll have to know the way to shield your self from potential fraudsters. Bear in mind to:

Guard your Medicare Quantity identical to your Social Safety card and bank card

Share your Medicare Quantity solely with trusted well being care suppliers

Overview your Medicare statements, look ahead to companies billed that look suspicious and ask questions if one thing seems fallacious

Methods to Report Scammers

Reporting Medicare fraud protects you and thousands and thousands of different individuals with Medicare and people with disabilities. For those who or somebody you realize have skilled Medicare fraud or suspect an give you’ve obtained is a rip-off, report it as quickly as potential. You’ll by no means be in hassle for reporting fraud.

To be taught extra about Medicare fraud, go to Medicare.gov/fraud. To report potential Medicare fraud, you may name 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or report the rip-off to the Federal Commerce Fee at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Data supplied by the U.S. Division of Well being and Human Companies.

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