Being scammed into a Medicare plan is one of the biggest concerns of the honest taxpayer. The emergence of a continuous health crisis has made the perfect condition for scammers to take advantage of people who have a lack of information.
It’s important to understand that Medicare frauds or scams can lead to a major financial burden and severe stress. For example, confidential details such as your Medicare number can serve as valuable loot for scammers. The number can be used to bill Medicare for services, treatments, or benefits that were never availed or provided.
This can prove to be a great financial burden for the victims of the scam. They not only lose the amount that was scammed from them, but also have a lower amount available to pay for treatments, benefits, or services that may be legitimately required. In the long term, a Medicare scam can lead to higher premiums for everyone, and rules for eligibility for supplies and services that are much stricter.
Keeping that in mind, here are 6 things you need to know if you want to avoid Medicare fraud:
Keep Your Medicare Card Secure.
Your Medicare card is just as important as your social security card or credit card if not more. It is important to keep your Medicare card at a secure location and not just leave it out in the open.
Keep Your Medicare Number Protected.
Do not provide your Medicare number to a stranger, or anyone over the phone or email. You should only share this number with your doctor or authorized Medicare providers and your insurance agent.
Stay Aware of False Medicare Plans
When scammers try to fish for your Medicare number they may promote false and “too good to be true” plans.
Be sure to keep your Medicare number confidential and check directly with your plan provider to see if a plan that has been promoted to you is legitimate.
Beware of “FREE” Health Care Services.
If you are approached with an offering of free healthcare services or products and are asked to provide your Medicare details chances are that it’s a scam.
Any provider that offers free health care services or products has no need to collect your insurance information.
Avoid Door-to-Door Salesmen.
You should not accept any medical supplies that are offered by door-to-door salesmen, nor should you share any information with them.
It’s important to know that neither Medicare, nor Medicaid will send representatives to your house to sell healthcare products or service, and insurance agents are not allowed to come to your house as well, unless you have requested a visit.
Verify Your Medicare Statements.
Medicare or your private insurance provider will send you claim summary statements that detail the health care you have received.
It’s important to thoroughly read these statements and verify the accuracy. Confirm that there are not any additional services listed that you did not receive.
Any health care service or product that’s mentioned on the list that you have not received or asked for can hint toward a possible scam.
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