Medicare has been featured prominently in the news recently with 111 arrests being made across the United States, because the scammers allegedly stole $225 million from the federal entitlement program.
According to a CBS News report in 2009, Medicare fraud costs the United States $60 billion per year—making it one of the most profitable crimes around.
Dr. Don Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, says that fraud and other Medicare crimes drive up health care costs for everyone else.
Dr. Berwick recommends a few things that one can do to minimize fraud:
- Keep your Medicare number safe. Like your credit card number, your debit card number, and your Social Security number, don’t share it with anyone.
- Do not join Medicare plans if someone attempts to solicit you via telephone, email, or comes to your door. Like the first point, don’t give out your personal information.
- Medicare plans CANNOT prompt you to join via telephone unless you call them.
- You should not give any credit card or banking information over the telephone or email unless you are a member of the plan.
- Double check your medical bills, Medicare Summary Notices, and benefits to see whether or not you are getting billed for a service that you aren’t using or equipment that you never received.
Check out StopMedicareFraud.gov for more tips to prevent Medicare fraud.
According to a CBS News report in 2009, Medicare fraud costs the United States $60 billion per year—making it one of the most profitable crimes around.
Dr. Don Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, says that fraud and other Medicare crimes drive up health care costs for everyone else.
Dr. Berwick recommends a few things that one can do to minimize fraud:
- Keep your Medicare number safe. Like your credit card number, your debit card number, and your Social Security number, don’t share it with anyone.
- Do not join Medicare plans if someone attempts to solicit you via telephone, email, or comes to your door. Like the first point, don’t give out your personal information.
- Medicare plans CANNOT prompt you to join via telephone unless you call them.
- You should not give any credit card or banking information over the telephone or email unless you are a member of the plan.
- Double check your medical bills, Medicare Summary Notices, and benefits to see whether or not you are getting billed for a service that you aren’t using or equipment that you never received.
Check out StopMedicareFraud.gov for more tips to prevent Medicare fraud.
