-Be sure to have your doctor’s signature on all medical bills -Make sure you are getting vaccinated against the flu -Check for Medicare fraud by calling the Medicare Fraud Hotline at 1-800-827-HELP (4357)
5 Ways to avoid Medicare fraud and Abuse
Watch out for bogus Medicare plans
Scammers are trying to get your Medicare number by offering you fake plans, benefits, and services. The main goal of these schemes is to get you to pay for something that isn’t really there. To confirm any plan you are thinking about, get in touch with the provider directly or use the Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. If it’s not there, it could not be real.
Beware “free” health care services or products
If someone asks for your Medicare information in return for free medical treatments or merchandise, just ignore them and walk away. They don’t need to know about your insurance if it’s free. Another trick to obtain your Medicare number may be involved here. (Remember that if you decide to join up for a Medicare supplement insurance plan, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medicare prescription medication plan, a reputable insurance agent or company representative will want your Medicare number.)
Avoid deceptive door-to-door salespeople
A door-to-door salesman offering medical goods or information should not be trusted. Also keep in mind that Medicare and Medicaid do not send salespeople to people’s homes to solicit business. Additionally, unless you specifically request it, insurance representatives may not visit your house.
Scour your Medicare statements
Medicare or your private insurance company will send you a summary statement outlining the medical services you have received. It is important to confirm that you received all of the advertised services and goods. If you believe that you have received a mistake, please report it to your insurance company or Medicare. ..
Kickbacks, Taking Money for Patient Referrals
The practice of referring patients to each other in exchange for cash or gifts is a common scam. This can hinder the patient’s treatment and also often results in recommendations for procedures, tests, or services that the patient does not need. It is difficult to catch the perpetrators of this scam.
Final Words
The article discusses how Medicare and Medicaid fraud are illegitimate methods used to get disproportionately large payments from government-funded healthcare programmes. Fraud is the intentional use of deception to obtain something unlawfully or unethically at the expense of another, in this example, to get something illegally at the expense of publicly funded healthcare services.
