ALERT: MEDICARE SCAMS

[Admin]

THIS IS A HIGH LEVEL ALERT COMING FROM THE OFFICES OF REP. BARON HILL, D-Ind

The following is a list provided by Representative Baron Hill, D-Indiana. If you feel you have encountered one of the scams listed below or suspect you may be a victim of one of the scams listed below, Scam-List.com HIGHLY urges you to call 800-MEDICARE to inquire on your incidents validity and/or report it.

SCAM: In Utah, there have been reports of phone calls to seniors regarding “new Medicare cards,” and seniors are told that they need the new card as a result of the new Affordable Care Act.

FACT: Seniors are not required to do anything to receive any of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Seniors won’t be issued new Medicare cards and do not need to register with anyone to receive the $250 rebate check. The check will be mailed directly to each senior at their home after they hit the prescription drug coverage gap known as the “doughnut hole.”

SCAM: In Wyoming, there have been reports of a fraudulent caller claiming to be from Medicare and wanting to confirm a senior’s Medicare number.

FACT: No senior should ever give his or her Medicare number to any caller. All seniors should treat Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security numbers like a credit card number, and should never give these out to a stranger. If someone claims to be with Medicare and asks for your information, ask for their name and report it to 800-MEDICARE.

SCAM: In Kansas, a creative insurance salesman has mailed a release form to his policy holders that authorized him to make medical decisions for them.

FACT: Seniors should never sign a form without understanding its contents or knowing its source. Always read and keep a copy of any document or agreement that asks for a signature. Contact a trusted source or your local State Health Insurance Program representative to help you verify the validity of these types of offers. A directory of your local SHIP number can be found in your Medicare & You Handbook.

SCAM: In Michigan, there have been reports of seniors being approached by insurance agents claiming that the recent legislation requires seniors to make changes to their health care benefits, including Part D plans.

FACT: No senior is required to make any changes to their Medicare plans. Seniors can make changes to their plans during the Open Enrollment period, which takes place every year from November to the end of December. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services offers seniors various tools through its www.medicare.gov web site to compare health plans and drug costs under those and other plans. Seniors should be leery of anyone approaching them and encouraging them to switch plans.

The Scam-List highly recommends you review th US Department of Health & Human Services and US Department of Justice "STOP Medicare Fraud" website located at: www.stopmedicarefraud.gov

[mike22]

That's really nice information.