Have you tried receiving calls asking for your personal or Medicare information?
Unfortunately, many instances of scams, fraud, and identity theft are happening in the US every day. In 2020 alone, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 2.2. million fraud reports. Another surprising report from Editor’s Choice Statistics revealed that 33% of citizens in the US have experienced identity theft that is, 15 million Americans become victim of identity theft every year. Scary, isn’t it?
What’s more interesting is that most of the stolen identities were used to apply for official documents and benefits, like Medicare. Identity theft happens when someone steals or uses your personal information (such as your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number) to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare and other health insurers without your authorization.
Although fraud, scam, and identity theft are serious problems, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. You play a crucial role in making sure fraudsters cannot use or steal information from you. How?
The US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General provided four (4) simple steps to prevent fraud, scams, and identity theft.
1. Detect
Protect your Medicare and Social Security details. Don’t let anyone borrow your Medicare number or your identity or pay to use it.
Be wary of anyone who:
- Offers you free medical equipment or services in exchange for your Medicare number;
- Claims you need to pay a fee to get a new or upgraded Medicare card;
- Threatens to terminate your Medicare coverage if you do not provide personal information over the phone; and
- Discusses a bill from a hospital or medical provider for services you did not receive.
If an unknown caller requests your Medicare Number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Remember, Medicare will only call to request personal information in the following circumstances:
- If you are already a member of a Medicare health or drug plan, you may receive a call from the plan. The agent who assisted you in joining may also contact you.
- If you have called 1-800-MEDICARE and left a message, or if a representative has told you that someone will call you back.
- If you reported suspected fraud, you may receive a phone call.
2. Deter
Do not respond to advertisements on television, the Internet, or in print for “free” or “no out-of-pocket cost” medical services. Additionally, refuse to accept deliveries of items you did not order. If someone comes to your door claiming to be from Medicare or Medicaid, keep in mind that neither program sends representatives to your home to sell products or services.
In general, your primary care physician should coordinate your medical care.
3. Defend
Take time to examine your medical bills, Medicare summary notices, benefit explanations, and credit reports. Check for the following:
- Were you billed for any medical services or equipment you did not receive?
- Do the service dates, charges, or provider names appear unfamiliar?
- Were you charged twice for the same thing?
It is also important that you understand the type of plan you join in. Read and comprehend documents before signing them. Before enrolling, changing, or updating your Medicare plan, review all information carefully and have your insurance agent explain anything you do not understand.
When you combine this with checking your credit report on a regular basis, using two-step verification whenever possible, using different passwords, and using private social media, you can significantly reduce your chances of being targeted and exploited by criminals.
4. Report
Take the most important action to prevent fraud by reporting to the right agency acts of fraud, scam, or identity theft.
If you believe a plan is not following Medicare rules, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should dial 1-877-486-2048. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE if:
- You believe you have been enrolled in a Medicare plan without your knowledge.
- You believe you were misled by a Medicare plan or an insurance agent representing a Medicare plan.
If you have a Medicare drug or health plan and suspect fraud, please contact the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor (I-MEDIC) at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379).
At Simple Choice Insurance Brokerage, we want to make sure our clients are protected from fraud, scam, and identity theft. We understand that because of issues related to Medicare fraud, scams, and identity theft, many people are not comfortable talking to agents offering Medicare plans over the phone.
With this, Simple Choice Senior Care Fraud Protection Program provides Medicare Beneficiaries with advisors who have gone through a 10-point background check and provided references.
We will provide you with a dedicated Medicare agent. Talk to the same person, every time, every year, with the same phone number. Call us at 832-626-7791 to learn more. Together, let us fight to prevent fraud, scams, and identity theft!
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