Medicare Users Key to Fraud Prevention The Government Has Tips for Beneficiaries Preparing for the Prescription Drug Plan.
Posted on: Saturday, 8 October 2005, 18:00 CDT
By Judith Nygren
Medicare beneficiaries are being armed with information to fend off fraud as they prepare to sign up for new prescription drug benefits.
The federal government Friday unveiled a multiprong attack on fraud, with consumers playing a key role in protecting themselves.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid is gearing up for the biggest change in Medicare benefits in 40 years and anticipates that the drug benefit will lead to some fraudulent practices.
Unfortunately, said centers administrator Dr. Mark McClellan, "seniors long have been the No. 1 target of fraud."
Officials already have been notified of two potential scams, both on the local level in Illinois and West Virginia. Both involved suspected scammers seeking personal banking information from Medicare recipients.
The government has developed a series of tips to help senior citizens avoid rip-offs. At the top of the list is a reminder that enrollment is more than a month away.
Information on the various drug card offerings will be available later this month. But actual enrollment isn't until Nov. 15, so senior citizens need to report anyone who asks them to sign up before then.
Other tips for Medicare beneficiaries:
Nobody involved in the marketing of the drug benefits can ask for personal information, such as numbers for your Medicare account, bank account or credit card.
Nobody with Medicare-sanctioned providers can come to a person's door without invitation.
Senior citizens never should give out personal information until they are certain that the person or product is approved by Medicare. Approved cards will carry the Medicare seal.
Anyone with questions or concerns about a representative or card can call (800) MEDICARE before releasing information.
Suspected fraud should be reported to local law enforcement or to the Health and Human Service Office of the Inspector General, (800) HHS-TIPS.
The federal government has hired eight contractors to help find fraud, waste and abuse in the new drug program.
Source: Omaha World - Herald
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