Medicare is a vital government program that provides health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. Unfortunately, there are individuals and organizations out there that seek to exploit Medicare for their own financial gain. These scammers use a variety of tactics to trick people into giving away their personal and medical information or paying for services they don’t need or never receive. As a California resident, it’s important to be aware of the most common Medicare scams and know how to protect yourself from falling victim to them.

At Geldin insurance we’ve been providing Medicare services for over 20 years and we consider it our responsibility to share this information with you like a public service announcement.

According to a report from CNN, older adults lost $121 million to scammers posing as government officials and another $151 million to scammers impersonating private business employees. Medicare SCAMS are big business.

Following are some of the most common Medicare scams but you have to be vigilant because every year new scams are launched on unsuspecting individuals. Don’t be a statistic.

The Medicare Card Scam

One of the most common Medicare scams is the Medicare card scam.

Scammers may call you or come to your door, claiming to be from Medicare or a related organization. They will ask you for your Medicare number or other personal information, claiming they need it to issue you a new Medicare card or update your information. In reality, Medicare will never call or visit you uninvited or ask for your personal information over the phone or in person. This is your first scam clue as they will always send you a letter or official notice in the mail.

Protect Yourself: If someone calls or visits you claiming to be from Medicare or a related organization, ask for their name and contact information and verify their identity by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.

The Equipment Scam

Another common Medicare scam is the equipment scam. Scammers may contact you by phone or email, claiming that they can provide you with free or low-cost medical equipment, such as a back brace or wheelchair. They will ask for your Medicare number or other personal information, claiming they need it to process your order. In reality, they may bill Medicare for equipment that you don’t need or never receive, leaving you responsible for paying the balance.

Protect Yourself: Be wary of unsolicited calls or emails offering free or low-cost medical equipment. Never give out your personal or medical information to someone you don’t know or trust. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before purchasing or using any medical equipment.

The Prescription Drug Scam

The prescription drug scam involves scammers calling or emailing you, claiming that they can offer you free or low-cost prescription drugs. They may ask for your Medicare number or other personal information, claiming they need it to process your order. In reality, they may bill Medicare for drugs that you don’t need or never receive, leaving you responsible for paying the balance.

Protect Yourself: Be wary of unsolicited calls or emails offering free or low-cost prescription drugs. Never give out your personal or medical information to someone you don’t know or trust. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before purchasing or using any prescription drugs.

The DNA Testing Scam

The DNA testing scam involves scammers offering free DNA testing kits to Medicare beneficiaries. They claim that the testing is covered by Medicare and can help prevent diseases or provide personalized medical treatments. In reality, they may bill Medicare for unnecessary or non-covered testing, leaving you responsible for paying the balance. They may also use your DNA information for identity theft or other fraudulent purposes.

Protect Yourself: Be wary of unsolicited offers for free DNA testing kits. Never give out your personal or medical information to someone you don’t know or trust. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before undergoing any genetic testing.

Do you see the pattern here? Most Medicare scams start with unsolicited phone call!

Let’s continue.

The Home Health Services Scam

The home health services scam involves scammers offering home health services to Medicare beneficiaries. They may claim that the services are covered by Medicare and can help you recover from an illness or injury. In reality, they may provide unnecessary or low-quality services or bill Medicare for services that were never provided. They may also use your personal and medical information for identity theft or other fraudulent purposes.

Protect Yourself: Be wary of unsolicited offers for home health services. Always verify that the services are covered by Medicare and that the provider is certified by Medicare. Consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before accepting any home health services.

In conclusion, Medicare scams can be (are) costly and dangerous, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself. Always be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or visits from individuals or organizations claiming to be from Medicare or a related organization.

Never give out your personal or medical information to someone you don’t know or trust. Always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before accepting any medical equipment or services. And remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

If you suspect that you have been a victim of a Medicare scam, report it immediately to the appropriate authorities, such as the Medicare Fraud Hotline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080. Protect yourself and your Medicare benefits by staying informed and vigilant against scams.

Medicare SCAMS are very real! And the incentive to these unscrupulous individuals and organizations is the seemingly easy money they are able to bilk from so many unsuspecting people.

If you have other questions or concerns about Medicare insurance or scams, the experts here at Geldin Insurance are here to help.

Don’t be a victim. Contact us today!