Watch Out for MediCare Scams

We are hearing stories about locals that have been affected by Medicare Scams.

The first week of June is Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion per year. It costs Medicare beneficiaries in time, stress, their medical identities, and potentially their health. It costs families, friends, and caregivers in worry and lost work when helping their loved ones recover from falling victim to Medicare fraud. Everyone plays a part in the fight against fraud. During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. Here are some tips from the Senior Medicare Patrol organziation:

• Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to make sure products and services received match what is on the statements.

• Caregivers can help by being on the lookout for items such as durable medical equipment (like boxes of knee braces) lying around the house that may have been shipped to the beneficiary without their or their doctor’s approval. They can remind their client or loved one to never give out their Medicare number or other personal information over the phone.

• Families can help by talking to their loved ones about protecting their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number.

• Community members can help by looking out for older neighbors. When in public, they can be aware of older individuals purchasing gift cards in large amounts.