There are often people who look to take advantage of senior citizens. They take many approaches when doing so. One of those approaches is Medicare fraud.
To ensure that you are not a victim of Medicare fraud, continue reading.
What is Medicare Fraud?
Medicare fraud is a form of abuse that involves providing false information to Medicare to receive benefits that have not been properly authorized. People often commit Medicare fraud by using someone else’s benefits without their express permission or knowledge. This can result in costs being levied against the actual enrollee, leaving them confused at where they came from.
Avoiding Medicare Fraud
You can avoid Medicare fraud by following these steps:
Do not give out your Medicare number randomly
Your Medicare number is used to ensure that your benefits are applied to health care expenses that you actually owe. The number is present on your Medicare card, therefore this card should be protected. Do not give this number or your Social Security number to anyone other than your doctors and other health care providers. If you do, someone could steal the information and use it fraudulently.
Keep your medical information safe
Your medical information contains critical information about your health. If someone has access to this information, they could be able to pose as you or commit other forms of fraudulent activity. Therefore, it is imperative that you protect your medical records and don’t seek services that strangers recommend.
Stay updated on Medicare’s rules
If a provider tells you that you can receive coverage for a service that is not typically coverage, you should stay alert and probably stop seeing them. If you attempt to defraud Medicare by having a non-covered service paid for through your policy, you or the provider could be penalized. This could even result in you losing your benefits.
Only acquire necessary services
If you know you don’t need a health care service, don’t get it. Doing otherwise could result in you becoming a victim of fraud. If you are being recommended to take tests or other services that are not necessary, turn them down and get another opinion from a different doctor.
We Can Help You
If you are concerned about fraud and interested in the steps you can take to avoid it, speak to an agent from The Benefit Link. We can help you learn how to avoid fraudulent situations and guide you toward insurance plans you may have interest in. To reach us, call 817-539-0626 or use the contact from on this page.
