How to Spot Fraud

Be suspicious of doctors, health care providers, or suppliers that tell you the following: The equipment or service is free; it won’t cost you anything, and they only need your Medicare number for their records Medicare wants you to have the item or service. They know how to get Medicare to pay for the item or service. The more tests they provide, the cheaper the tests become.

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Be suspicious of doctors or plans that do the following: Don’t charge copayments without checking on your ability to pay Advertise “free” consultations to people with Medicare Claim they represent Medicare or a branch of the Federal government Use pressure or scare tactics to sell you high-priced medical services or diagnostic tests Bill Medicare for services you didn’t get

• Use telephone calls and door-to-door selling as marketing tools
  
• Offer non-medical transportation or housekeeping as Medicare‑approved services
  
• Put the wrong diagnosis on the claim so that Medicare will pay
  
• Bill home health services for patients who aren’t confined to their home, or for Medicare patients who still drive a car
  
• Bill Medicare for medical equipment for people in nursing homes
  
• Ask you to contact your doctor and ask for a service or supplies that you don’t need
  
• Bill Medicare for tests you received as a hospital inpatient or within 72 hours of admission or discharge
  
• Bill Medicare for a power wheelchair or scooter when you don’t meet Medicare’s qualifications

Watch Out For These Common Fraud Schemes:

• People who approach you in parking lots, shopping centers, or other public areas and offer free services, groceries, transportation, or other items in exchange for your Medicare number. Just walk away!
  
• People who call you claiming to be conducting a health survey and ask for your Medicare number. Simply hang up the phone!
  
• Telephone marketers who pretend to be from Medicare or Social Security and ask for payment over the phone or Internet. Don’t do it! They may want to steal your money.