Scam Alert! Medicare Bait and hook

In the latest Medicare scam fraudsters attempt to bait unsuspecting diabetes patients with (bait) free diabetes equipment. What they are attempting to do is get your (hook) Medicare number which is the same as your Social Security number.

They have information such as the doctor’s name and address when they call their intended victims. The information may have come from stolen medical records, pharmaceutical companies or medical product suppliers. The calls seem to originate from Florida and state that they are calling from Med-Care.

Question they may ask: What is the maiden name of your mother?

• Be suspicious and do not give any information to the caller. Ask for a call back number then check to see if it matches the number that you have on the back of your Medicare card.

Association of Area Agencies on Aging have been receiving calls about the scams in Indiana and one in California. “AAAs were established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1973 to respond to the needs of Americans 60 and over in every local community. By providing a range of options that allow older adults to choose the home and community-based services and living arrangements that suit them best, AAAs make it possible for older adults to remain in their homes and communities as long as possible.” http://www.n4a.org/about-n4a/

Another scam that came before this was connected with the $250 ‘doughnut hole’ rebate checks. This rebate is intended to fill the gap in Medicare Part D prescription services. The first batch was mailed out June 10 to approximately 80,000 recipients and will will continue monthly until the end of 2010.

Callers are posing as government workers and are stating that the checks will only be issued after the Medicare numbers are verified.  Then there are other unscrupulous insurance agents that are claiming additional policies are needed under the new health care reform.

Facts about ‘donut hole’ rebate checks

• They are automatic
• There are no extra forms to fill out
• No action needed

Precautions to take:

• Never provide your Medicare  number or other personal information to an unknown caller
• Don’t buy a supplemental policy tied to the rebate checks unless they are useful but they are not necessary in order to receive a rebate check.

If you feel like you are being scammed call Medicare to make inquiries

1-800-633-4227 or your local Area Agency on Aging 1-800-986-3505