Protect Yourself Against Health Care Fraud

• Never give out your Medicare number
• Beware of:
• Health care providers/suppliers that use telephone calls, door-to-door selling, or pressure tactices as a way to sell you goods or services
• Companies that offer free medical equipment or offer to waive your co-payment
• Health care providers who say they represent Medicare or the Federal Government

Be Suspicious If the Provider Tells You That:

• The test is FREE; only needs your Medicare number for their records
• Medicare wants you to have the item or service
• They know how to get Medicare to pay for it
• The more tests they provide, the cheaper they are
• The equipment or service is FREE, it won't cost you anything

Take a Closer Look If

• Home health providers offer non-medical transportation or housekeeping as Medicare approved services
• Suppliers bill Medicare for medical equipment for beneficiaries in a nursing home
• Physicians give wrong diagnosis so Medicare will pay

10 Steps to Protect Yourself

1. Only visit YOUR personal doctor, hospital or clinic for medical help. Only they should make referrals for special equipment, services or medicine.
2. If someone calls and tries to threaten or preasure you into something - simply hang up the phone.
3. If someone comes to your door and says they are from Medicare and tehy need you to give them your Medicare number, or offer you something, shut the door... it's shrewd to be rude!
4. If someone offers to buy your Medicare number, don't do it... it's simply not worth it.
5. Never give your doctor's name and number to a salesperson.
6. Never show anyone your medical or prescription drug records without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
7. Don't leave mail in your mailbox for more than one day. People can steal personal information right out of your mailbox.
8. Rip up or shred your Medicare papers and other important documents before throwing them away. Crooks go through trash!
9. Remember that Medicare doesn't sell anything.
10. ALWAYS read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). Your Medicare Summary Notice is the piece of mail stamped "This is Not a Bill" that comes in after you get medical care.