Medicare scams cost the federal government over $60 billion annually. Below are some of the tactics scammers use to get your private information or enroll you in plans that may not be the most beneficial for you.
1) People posing as Medicare representatives via phone calls or actually showing up at your door requesting information to rectify a “make-believe” issue or enroll you in a plan. Door-to-door solicitation is prohibited by Medicare, as are unsolicited phone calls. If you are unsure, you can always call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
2) People calling you during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7) who try to enroll you into an Advantage plan. Again, unsolicited phone calls are not allowed by Medicare. The beneficiary must make first contact and agree to an agent sale’s call. In these scams, unscrupulous agents may sign you up for a plan that doesn’t fit your needs but pays a high commission or get you to switch from your current plan to get the commission. While some benefits sound better, make sure the core medical benefits you need or offered by the plan and your doctors are in-network. Agents also must be licensed in the state in which they’re selling. You can check license status on the State Insurance website.
3) Providers billing Medicare for services that never occurred. Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits will list services provided to you that were billed to Medicare. Looking over your MSN or EOB will give you an accounting of what is being charged so that you can make sure you actually received these services. Report any fraudulent claims to Medicare.