Wise County Sheriff's Department
Press Releases 

Return to Wise County S.O. Web Site

06/05/08

WISE EYES-Medicare Fraud information

The Sheriff’s office recently received an e-mail inquiring about an individual stating he worked for the National Medical Association advising the person would be receiving a card to use with their Medicare card. There was concern that this incident could be a scam, upon stating that information the individual hung up.

The organization name information was researched, and found that the “ National Medical Association promoted collective interest of physicians and patients of African Decent.”  http://www.nmanet.org/

There was no connection to Medicare found.

Checking on-line the Federal Bureau of Investigation has pages of information of common fraud schemes.  http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm

Common Health Insurance Frauds; Medicare Fraud warns:   

Medicare fraud can take the form of any of the health insurance frauds described above. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. Because a physician has to sign a form certifying that equipment or testing is needed before

Medicare pays for it, con artist fake signatures or bribe corrupt doctors to sign the forms. Once a signature is in place, the manufacturers bill Medicare for merchandise or services that was not needed or was not ordered.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners advises some tips to avoid becoming a victim of a scam artist:

·         Beware of door-to-door salesmen. Agents cannot solicit business at your home without an appointment.

Don’t let them into your home.

·         Check with your state’s insurance department ( available through http://www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm)

To make sure the salesman is licensed as an agent.

·         Do not give out personal information, such as Social Security, bank account numbers or credit cards numbers to any one you have not verified is a licensed agent. People are not allowed to request such personal information in their marketing activities and can not ask for payment over the internet.* They must send you a bill. Once you decide to purchase a plan and have it verified that the agent is licensed, you may give the agent personal information to assist in enrollment and billing.

·         Verify that the plan is an approved Medicare plan. All of the approved plans are available at www.medicare.gov or call1-800-MEDICARE.

·         If you suspect fraud, call the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

·         Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (contact information available through http://www.medicare.gov.contacts/static/allStateContacts,asp) if you have any questions at all.

·         TO AVOID BEING A VICTIM, VERIFY BEFORE YOU BUY.