- Billing for Services Not Provided: Fraudulent healthcare providers might bill Medicare for services, tests, or procedures that were never actually performed.
- Upcoding: Providers bill for a more expensive service or procedure than what was actually provided.
- Unnecessary Services: Some providers might order unnecessary tests or procedures just to increase their Medicare billing.
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Fraud: This involves billing Medicare for unnecessary or non-existent durable medical equipment like wheelchairs, walkers, or diabetes supplies.
- Medicare Card Scams: Scammers call seniors claiming they need to verify their Medicare number or other personal information to issue a new card.
- Health Fair Scams: Fraudsters set up fake health fairs where they offer bogus testing to collect Medicare numbers and bill Medicare for nonexistent services.
Steps to Prevent Medicare Fraud
- Protect Your Medicare Number: Treat your Medicare number like a credit card number. Do not give it out to anyone except your trusted healthcare providers.
- Be Skeptical of Free Services: Be cautious of free services or products, especially if you are asked for your Medicare number.
- Review Medicare Statements: Regularly check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) for services or supplies you did not receive.
- Be Aware of Marketing Scams: Be suspicious of marketers who offer “free” healthcare products or services in exchange for your Medicare number.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Report any suspicious calls or requests for your Medicare information.
Steps to Take if You Receive Unnecessary Medical Supplies
- Contact the Supplier: Call the company that sent the supplies and inform them that you did not order these items and you do not need them.
- Notify Medicare: Report the incident to Medicare by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
- Report Fraud to the OIG: Contact the Office of Inspector General (OIG) if you suspect fraud. The OIG hotline is 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).
- Return Unwanted Items: If instructed by Medicare or the supplier, return the unnecessary supplies.
What to Do if Scammed at a Health Fair
- Contact Medicare Immediately: If you believe your Medicare number has been stolen, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to report the incident.
- Monitor Your Medicare Account: Regularly review your Medicare statements for any fraudulent charges or unfamiliar services.
- File a Complaint: File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- Report to the OIG: Report the fraudulent activity to the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).
By being vigilant and informed, seniors can protect themselves from becoming victims of Medicare fraud.
-Lê Nguyên Vũ –
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Protect yourself from Medicare fraud
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General: Reporting Fraud
- Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Information
Medicare Fraud Hotlines
- Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
- OIG Fraud Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)