Medicare fraud is an unfortunate reality. Scammers use this information to swindle victims out of their money. There are, however, some telltale signs to look out for.

What is Medicare Fraud?

Medicare fraud is when your personal information gets stolen. Once that personal information is in the wrong hands, your loss will be a criminal’s gain. This can range from someone using your Medicare information to get treatments, in which you will foot the bill. This is serious. But because it can happen, it doesn’t mean it will happen. Taking the following information will help ensure that you will not fall prey to malicious scammers.

How Does Medicare Fraud Happen?

Someone committing Medicare fraud will pretend to be a Medicare professional. They will do this because they’re trying to earn your trust, and they may pressure you to give them details about your account. 

First, Medicare will never call you to ask for your personal information. Medicare won’t give you a sales pitch. Medicare won’t call to get you to enroll. You must be the one initiating the call if you are enrolling over the phone. Medicare will never show up at your residence. Scammers will, though. If scammers don’t have your personal information, they have no way of depleting your bank account. 

Sometimes the fraud is subtle. Someone may be using your information to receive medical treatments on your behalf. That’s why it’s important to review your Medicare statements. Look and see if the dates you received the service match the service dates on your statement. The sooner you detect the discrepancies, the sooner you can stop the scammers.

What Can I Do to Prevent It?

Guard your information. Your Medicare number should be treated with the same confidentiality as your credit card or social security number. Don’t let anyone have your Medicare card. The only people who should know your Medicare card number are healthcare professionals, Medicare providers, and you.

How Do I Report It?

You will be able to detect fraudulent activity on your account by seeing discrepancies on your Medicare Summary Notice. Compare the dates and the services listed. If you want to find these details before receiving the notice, you can log on to mymedicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

You can report Medicare fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). If you’re on Medicare Advantage, you can also report Medicare fraud by contacting your Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-SAFERX (1-877-772-3379).

Be sure to have your name, Medicare number, your provider’s name, and any information that can help identify them, the questionable service or item, and when it was allegedly given, the payment amount approved by Medicare, and the date found on the Medicare Summary Notice.

If you have any questions…

We are here to assist you with any inquiries you may have regarding Medicare and the various aspects of it. We will address all concerns you have because at Sannes Insurance, we are dedicated to your needs. Call us today at (509) 993-9887.