Your Health

New Law Fights Fraud and Protects Medicare Benefits

Posted 9/17/2010

If you suspect Medicare fraud, report it.

(NewsUSA) - Most health care providers, suppliers, and private companies who work with Medicare are honest. Unfortunately, there are some who are not, and their actions cost the Medicare Program millions of dollars each year. This creates higher costs for taxpayers and beneficiaries.

The new Affordable Care Act will help Medicare crack down on fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare system. The Act gives officials the authority to impose stronger monetary penalties on those found to have committed fraud, includes measures for increased screening and enrollment requirements for providers and suppliers, and will provide $350 million over the next ten years for the hiring of new officials and agents who can help prevent and identify fraud.

However, beneficiaries are still the first line of defense against Medicare fraud. The following suggestions can help you protect your Medicare benefits:

* Recognize potential sources of fraud, including fake or unrecognized claims on your Medicare bill, and suspicious advertisements from companies offering fake Medicare plans.

* Don't use another person's Medicare card, and don't allow anyone to use your Medicare card.

* Protect your Medicare Number. Do not give it out except to your doctor or other Medicare providers. Never give your Medicare number in exchange for a free offer.

* Use a calendar or Personal Health Care Journal to record all of your doctor's appointments and what tests you get. Then, review your Medicare claims statement by going online at MyMedicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE and using the automated telephone system to make sure you received each service listed and that all the details are correct.

* Your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program can give you a free Personal Health Care Journal, assist you in reviewing your Medicare statement and, if errors or fraud are suspected, help you make a report. To locate the SMP program in your state, call 1-877-808-2468 or go to the SMP locator at www.smpresource.org.

* Report fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY 1-877-486-2048); the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477, TTY 1-800-377-4950); or the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-7SAFERX (1-877-772-3379), if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

To learn more about Medicare fraud and ways to protect against it, visit www.stopmedicarefraud.gov. More information is available at www.healthcare.gov, a new web portal made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.