To educate seniors so they can identify and report common Medicare scams, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) of New Jersey will give a presentation 10:30 a.m. May 18 at The Meadowbrook, 55 Wyckoff Road in Eatontown.
Medicare fraud and scams cost U.S. taxpayers an extra $60 billion annually in fraud, waste and abuse. It puts an added strain on governmental insurance programs that are already under increased scrutiny by budget-conscious legislators.
An estimated $1 out of every $10 spent on public insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid is lost to fraud, waste and abuse in the U.S. All health care fraud costs an annual $220 billion.
Clarkson said that SMP of New Jersey hopes to make consumers more aware of the problem by offering these tips:
• Remember that only personal physicians, hospitals or clinics are permitted to make referrals for special equipment, services or medication.
• Treat your Medicare card like your social security number — never give it out to callers or visitors saying they represent Medicare. They don’t make uninvited trips or calls.
• Medicare Drug Prescription plans cannot enroll you into a drug plan over the telephone unless you call them.
• Never show anyone your medical or prescription records without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
• Shred your Medicare or other health care papers before throwing them away. Crooks will go through the trash.
• If someone offers to buy your Medicare or Medicaid number, don’t do it.
• Medicare doesn’t sell or endorse anything.
• If you suspect an error or fraud related to health care, gather the facts and report it to the SMP hotline number.
• Always read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), which is stamped “This is Not a Bill” and arrives after you receive Medicare services. Look for three things in particular: charges for something you didn’t receive, billing for the same thing twice, and services that were not ordered by your doctor.
To report a possible fraud in New Jersey, call the SMP of New Jersey toll-free hotline number 877-SMP-4359 or Jewish Family and Vocational Service at 732- 777-1940.