SMP Corner
Identifying and reporting Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse involve a wide range of behaviors that result in unnecessary costs to the Medicare program. Once you are eligible for Medicare, you may be exposed to Medicare fraud or errors, such as before you enroll in a plan or when you access care at a doctor’s office. It could also be receiving unsolicited calls from scammers who are just trying to steal your medical identity. It is important to know how to recognize potentially fraudulent activities and how to report them.
Examples of potential Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse might include:
• Someone steals your Medicare number and uses it to bill Medicare for items or services you don’t need and never receive. • Someone calls you or visits your home to offer you “free” equipment that you do not need and then bills Medicare for the equipment. • A plan agent uses your Medicare number to enroll you in a plan without your consent. To protect yourself from potential Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse: • Protect your Medicare number and only give it to your doctors and other providers. • Be careful when others ask for personal information or offer you “free” products or services in return for your Medicare number. • Check your Medicare statements regularly for any suspicious charges or errors. If you see any suspicious charges, call your provider to see if they have made a billing error. • If you suspect you are experiencing Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse, contact your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at PCOA 520.790.7573 x2017 lkhumalo@pcoa.org
*Medicare Minute. https://www.smpresource.org/Handler.ashx?ItemResourceId=8e65d543-a5b0-4ced-b4dc- 2001eaaa3255&ItemType=File February 2022.
Page 6 | March 2022, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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