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Have you seen those TV ads that promise "free" wheelchairs
or scooters? If it seems to good to be true, it may be Medicare
fraud and can cost you plenty!
In 2003, Medicare payments for
these items came to one billion dollars. While this means new hope
for people who previously were housebound, some of these sales are
fraud!
u Dealers
offer a free wheelchair or scooter to get your Medicare number, then
use it to make fraudulent charges across the country.
u Dealers pay
sleazy doctors to say chairs are medically needed (when they are
not).
u Some dealers
charge Medicare for an expensive chair then deliver a cheaper one
(or sometimes no chair at all.)
Investigations are now being conducted
by the federal government. In addition, The Center for Medicare and
Medicaid Services is changing the rules to improve the medical
approval process and to keep some questionable dealers out of
Medicare.
Education is the best defense
against fraud. Follow these tips to protect yourself:
u Rely on your
family doctor to recommend all medical services and equipment.
u Never give
your Medicare or Medicaid number to strangers even for a
"free" service or benefit. If the service is really free,
they don’t need your number!!!
u Never allow
anyone to pressure you into contacting your doctor to request a
ser-vice or product you don't need.
u Don’t
allow access to your medical or prescription records without your
doctor or pharmacist’s approval.
u Beware of
pressure or scare tactics to sell medical equipment or supplies.
u Beware of
unsolicited live sales pitches on the phone, TV, radio, and the
Internet.
u Remember, no
person from Medicare or any federal agency will try to sell you
something. Neither the government nor Medicare endorses a specific
product or service from anyone.
Questions? Call the Missouri S.O.R.T. Program
at 1-888-515-6565, toll free. Trained volunteers are available to
assist you with concerns free of charge.
Adapted from: Senior Sentinel, Holiday
2003, Vol. 9, N |
