Protect Yourself Against Medicare Fraud

Never give your Medicare or Medicaid number over the telephone or to people you do not know.

Beware of health care providers and suppliers that use telephone calls and door-to-door selling as a way to sell  you goods or services.

Be suspicious of companies that offer free medical equipment or offer to waive your co-payment without first asking  about your ability to pay.

Beware of health care providers who say they represent Medicare or a branch of the Federal government, or providers  who use pressure tactics to get you to accept a service or  product.

You should be suspicious if a provider tells you that:

• The test is free; he only needs your Medicare number for his records.

• Medicare wants you to have the item or service.

• They know how to get Medicare to pay for it.

• The more tests they provide, the cheaper they are.

• The equipment or service is free; it won't cost you anything.

Be suspicious of:

• Home health providers that offer non-medical transportation services or housekeeping as Medicare approved services.

• Ambulance companies that bill Medicare for non-emergency trips.

• Suppliers that bill Medicare for medical equipment for beneficiaries in a nursing home.

• Physicians that give the wrong diagnosis on the claim form so Medicare will pay.