Family Caregiver 5.25 - Flipbook - Page 18
PROTECT, DETECT, AND REPORT
Three steps you can take to guard against Medicare fraud
Every day, Medicare fraud a昀昀ects people with Medicare
and their families across the U.S. – regardless of
background. It’s not just the Medicare program that
su昀昀ers when fraud occurs. Patients may also discover
that they can’t get the health care they need.
If someone gets your Medicare number, they can make
charges that may exhaust your allotment of bene昀椀ts. If
they charge Medicare for medical visits that you never
made or equipment you didn’t purchase, your number
could be 昀氀agged for overuse, and doctors may refuse to
see you. These are just two examples of how fraud can
end up hurting you directly.
Scammers know the ins and outs of the Medicare system
and their attempts can be well thought-out. It’s not
always easy to know when and where fraud is occurring.
By remembering some simple but e昀昀ective tips, you can
protect yourself against scams, including identity theft
and prescription drug fraud. Remembering to protect,
detect, and report fraud helps everyone, including you.
1. Protect
Protecting your personal information is your best
line of defense against health care fraud. Treat
Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security numbers like
credit card numbers. Never give them to a stranger
and don’t carry your cards unless you need them
for appointments. Medicare doesn’t call or visit to
sell you anything. Outside of a trusted health care
setting, never give this information to anyone who
asks for it.
2. Detect
something you didn’t purchase or receive, duplicate
charges, and charges for services not ordered by
your doctor. Compare these documents to your
personal records and receipts. Recording medical
visits and procedures in a journal or on a calendar
can help you keep track of what happened at each
appointment and make it easier to spot inaccuracies.
3. Report
If you suspect you’ve been a target of fraud, report it.
This can help you and others at risk for fraud. If you
have questions about your Medicare statements, call
your health care provider.
If you’re uncomfortable calling or are not satis昀椀ed
with the response, help is available through your
local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). SMP volunteers
work with Medicare bene昀椀ciaries and their families
and caregivers to stop health care fraud, errors, and
abuse. You can also report suspicious calls and ask
general questions through this resource. You can
昀椀nd your local SMP program by calling 1-877-8082468 or at SMPresource.org.
Suspected fraud also can be reported
1-800-Medicare or by calling 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Don’t hesitate, if you need help.
Funded by the Administration for Community Living, part of
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the SMP
programs provide outreach, counseling, and education by
highly trained volunteers in a variety of locations. For free,
con昀椀dential support, contact your local SMP program at the
Carroll County Bureau of Aging & Disabilities: 410-386-3800.
No matter how careful you are, you may be targeted
for fraud. Always review your Medicare statements
closely. Things to look for include charges for
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2025 – 2026 Carroll County Bureau of Aging & Disabilities Resource Guide
