| Medicare fraud hurts all of us with higher costs, higher | | | | You can also help prevent Medicare fraud before it |
| taxes, and, since those who deliberately defraud | | | | happens by being a smart consumer. For example, be |
| Medicare are criminals who prey on people in need of | | | | more than suspicious of any provider who claims to be |
| medical help, the increased likelihood that the patients | | | | endorsed by Medicare or the government...particularly if |
| themselves may not be receiving the treatment or | | | | they claim to represent Medicare or initiate contact |
| services they need. | | | | with you via telemarketing or as a door-to-door |
| Medicare fraud results in the loss of hundreds of | | | | salesmen. |
| millions of dollars each year, and patients and families | | | | Giving your Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number |
| are the first line of defense when it comes to | | | | or Medicare card to a provider who claims that |
| preventing Medicare fraud. One of the ways to do this | | | | "Medicare doesn't usually cover this, but we know how |
| is to look over your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) | | | | to get them to pay for it" is asking for trouble, as is |
| when you get it to make sure you know what all the | | | | dealing with providers who claim that "Medicare wants |
| items and services listed are and determine whether | | | | you to have this". Medicare is an insurance program - |
| or not you actually received everything listed. | | | | what insurance company have you ever heard of that |
| If you do not understand the statement or do not think | | | | wants to pay for more than they absolutely have to? |
| you received something on the list, call the doctor's | | | | Also, you should not give your card or number to any |
| office and have it explained to you. If you do not | | | | provider who says they will do something for you for |
| receive a satisfactory answer, you can then call the | | | | free and all you need to do is give them your |
| company that paid your Medicare claim. Their contact | | | | Medicare number. You can bet they will bill Medicare |
| information will be listed on your MSN and they have a | | | | for something...and you probably will not have received |
| vested interest in helping you prevent Medicare fraud. | | | | it. |
| If you believe someone has committed Medicare fraud | | | | Medicare fraud is an ongoing problem and you can |
| and do not have the MSN, you can call the hotline at | | | | help stop it. |
| 1-800-447-8477 | | | | |