Medicare Scams: What Rhode Islanders Need to Know to Protect Themselves
It will soon be that time of year: the open enrollment period for Medicare. October 15th to December 7th is the window of time for joining, switching or dropping Medicare plans.
Seniors in Rhode Island need to be on high alert for potential Medicare scams, as it’s during this time when criminals ramp up their efforts to carry out fraud.
Why do Scammers Want Your Medicare Number?
The goal of most Medicare scams is to obtain Medicare numbers. Scammers use these to create falsified or bogus Medicare claims, which they then profit from. Other scammers don’t actually want your Medicare number, but use the threat of cutting off your benefits to get you to pay them a fee.
The theft of a Medicare number is very serious, and is considered medical identity theft.
New Tactics
Here are some of the new ploys that are picking up in Rhode Island and across the country:
- DNA testing scams. You get an offer for free DNA testing (or even get an unsolicited test kit in the mail). Ostensibly, the purpose is to do genetic testing to determine disease risks in your family tree. In reality, it’s a ploy to get you to reveal your Medicare number, which then is used by criminals to commit fraud.
- Offers of free medical equipment or supplies. You’re offered high-quality, expensive equipment for free–you just have to provide your Medicare number. Sometimes the scammer even follows through on the offer and sends low-cost, low-quality items to make it appear real.
- Offers of new “chip cards.” You’re offered a more durable, more secure plastic chip card that purportedly better protects your personal information. But these do not exist in Medicare, and again , the goal is simply to obtain your Medicare number.
Red Flags to Watch For
These scammers are sophisticated criminals who will go to great lengths to obtain Medicare numbers. They stay on top of the news to exploit confusion over changes to Medicare systems or programs. They may have spoofed their caller ID to make it look like it is Medicare calling, or your doctor’s office. They may even know personal information about you.
Watch out for:
- Offers that seem too good to be true, like “Free Part B” or refunds from Medicare (neither exists).
- Threats to cancel your coverage unless you provide personal info.
- Unexpected calls or visits at your door.
- Errors on your statement or mysterious charges – for example, services you didn’t receive, duplicate charges, or services not ordered by your doctor.
Protect Yourself
- Be extremely vigilant to protect your Medicare number. Guard it as you would your Social Security or credit card number.
- Don’t carry your card unless you need it. Only disclose your number to your doctor, healthcare providers that you are receiving services from, or your insurer or health plan.
- Never give your Medicare number out over the phone. Medicare will never contact you by phone unless you have initiated contact with them. Don’t be afraid to just hang up.
- Never participate in an attempt to “verify your identity”, either over the phone, by mail, email or online. Sometimes the scammer will tell you this is necessary to avoid losing your benefits.
- Check your Medicare statements regularly and closely. Compare the statement items against your own invoices/receipts.
What To Do If You Think You’ve Been Scammed
A new report from AARP says that when it comes to fraud, we need to stop the language and culture of blame and shame. How scams and fraud are reported in the media, and even how victims frame the experience themselves (“I was duped, tricked, bilked”) needs to change.
If you have been the victim of a scam, you’re the victim of a crime, and it’s not your fault. There is no reason to be embarrassed or ashamed.
Reporting fraud can help you deal with the situation and prevent it from happening to others.
- Get in touch with the Rhode Island Department of Healthy Aging’s Senior Medicare Patrol, which helps Medicare members in precisely this situation.
- Call The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,which administers the Medicare program, at 1-800-Medicare.
- Report to the AARP Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360 and Medicare fraud line at 800-633-4227.