Medicare fraud can occur in various forms, from overcharging for services to billing for services that were never provided. It may seem like this goes without saying, but many people don’t realize this is happening to them until it’s too late. Here are some ways you can look out for Medicare fraud:
- Review Your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN): Medicare sends a summary notice every three months that lists the services and supplies billed to Medicare under your name. Review it carefully for any discrepancies or services you didn’t receive.
- Keep Track of Your Medical Appointments and Services: Maintain a record of your medical appointments, tests, and procedures. If you notice any services listed on your MSN that you didn’t receive or don’t recognize, it could be a sign of fraud.
- Protect Your Medicare Number: Don’t share your Medicare number with anyone except your doctor or other Medicare-approved healthcare provider. Treat it like you would your credit card number.
- Be Wary of Unsolicited Offers: Be cautious of anyone who contacts you unsolicited and offers free medical equipment or services in exchange for your Medicare number. These could be scams.
- Research Providers: Before choosing a healthcare provider, research them online and check their credentials. Make sure they’re reputable and properly licensed.
- Be Alert to Free Services: While Medicare does cover many services, be cautious of providers offering services or equipment for free. Sometimes, these offers are used to gather Medicare information for fraudulent purposes.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect Medicare fraud, report it immediately to the Medicare Fraud Hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). You can also report it online at the OIG’s website.
By staying vigilant and regularly reviewing your Medicare statements, you can help identify and prevent Medicare fraud.
