Medicare Fraud Prevention Week highlights need to combat fraud and abuse

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) and Michigan Department of Attorney General urge residents to learn how to combat Medicare fraud, errors and abuse from scammers during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, June 1-5.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of June 5, also referred to as 6/5, because most people qualify for Medicare at age 65. It serves as a reminder that awareness and early reporting are key to preventing fraud and protecting public resources. Fraud impacts Medicare beneficiaries by creating unnecessary stress and potentially delaying approved health care services. It also affects families, friends and caregivers who may miss work or experience significant worry as they help loved ones recover from fraud.

“Scammers continue to find new ways to target older adults and vulnerable populations,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “We encourage Michigan residents to stay informed, ask questions and report suspicious activity.”

“Medicare participants can protect themselves by never sharing any information, especially their Medicare or Social Security numbers, with anyone who tries to solicit their business by phone, online or at their front door,” said DIFS Director Anita Fox. “If someone believes they’ve experienced a Medicare scam or a high-pressure sales tactic, we encourage them to contact DIFS at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or by calling 877‑999‑6442 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to file a complaint.”

“Medicare fraud threatens to undermine the resources older adults depend on,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. “This Medicare Fraud Prevention Week and throughout the year, my office is here to help seniors stay a step ahead of scammers looking to exploit their benefits.”

Everyone can play a role in fighting Medicare fraud:

• Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to ensure that products and services listed match what they actually received.
  • Beneficiaries should never share their Medicare number or personal information with unknown callers.
• Families and caregivers can help by being on the lookout for items such as durable medical equipment, like boxes of knee braces, lying around the house that may have been shipped to the beneficiary without their or their doctor’s approval.
  • Remind beneficiaries to protect their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number.
  • Help beneficiaries create a Medicare.gov account to access Medicare statements online or remind them to open and review statements when they come in the mail.
  • Ask beneficiaries to register their phone number on the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry and opt out of mailings by visiting Optoutprescreen.com.
• Partners can share Medicare fraud and abuse prevention information on social media and refer clients to Michigan’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program. Michigan SMP is a statewide program that assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. More information is available at Michigan.gov/MedicareFraud.
• Health care professionals can talk with patients about common health care-related scams, including those involving durable medical equipment or genetic testing. Patients should be reminded to receive medical items only from providers they regularly see, and never through unsolicited phone calls or TV advertisements.
• Community members can look out for older neighbors by watching for signs of potential scams, such as purchasing large amounts of gift cards.
  • Encourage older adults to speak with a trusted source about their Medicare questions and share information with them about recent Medicare scams.
  • Volunteer with their local SMP to assist beneficiaries who have been victims of fraud.

Michigan residents who suspect Medicare fraud or abuse can call:

• Michigan Senior Medicare Patrol at 844-677-6424.
• Michigan Department of Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 517-335-7599 or file a complaint online.
• Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services at Michigan.gov/DIFSComplaints or by calling 877-999-6442 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to file a complaint.

To learn more about Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, visit smpresource.org.

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