Medicare Fraud is at an all-time high, and thousands of people fall victim to these scams yearly. According to the Senior Medical Patrol, approximately $60 billion is lost every year due to “ fraud, errors, and abuse.”
The great news is that there are things that can be done to stop Medicare fraud and keep these activities from impacting your friends, family, and fellow Medicare recipients. Here is a list of options that you can use to educate yourself and report any suspicious activity you notice.
Bell & Associates is more than happy to answer any questions you may have about Medicare in general, your Medicare coverage, or any potentially fraudulent activity. We can help guide you through the process of reporting and addressing any confusion or issues.
This organization educates and advocates for Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and family members. They have local volunteers and staff nationwide who can help you spot and report any signs of Medicare fraud. Each state has its own hotline, which you can find here.
The Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General was put in place to help detect and combat any suspicious and/or fraudulent activities in the programs associated with the Department of Health & Human Services. There is a hotline you can call (800-447-8477), or you can file a report online. These reports can be anonymous, but an investigator may contact you for further information to help them with their investigation.
The US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has a helpline (800-663-4227) that you can use to ask any questions or report any suspicious or fraudulent activity you notice or experience. They can also help you deal with any fraudulent charges on your account.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide counseling and assistance for Medicare recipients and their families or caregivers. You can visit their website or call 877-839-2675 to find your local SHIP.
If you find yourself or a loved one falling victim to Medicare fraud, you don’t have to be a victim. Please arm yourself with information on how to spot scams and know that you have options to protect yourself and fight.
