Alaska Medicaid Information Office: Medicare Fraud Prevention Week 

Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones by joining the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and their partners for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, which ends today (6/5) because most people become eligible for Medicare when they turn 65.

Protect your Medicare number like you would your banking information. Scammers use a lot of tactics to get your Medicare number; be aware of their tricks. Don't give or confirm your number to anyone that calls you out of the blue, through email, on social media, or even through a text message. You might be offered free products like back or knee braces, food, additional benefits, or told that your doctor asked them to call.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, so don't accept it. You are the best defense to protect your Medicare number! Learning how to prevent, detect, and report Medicare fraud and then sharing what you learn with others is how Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, family members, partners, health care professionals, and the whole community can participate in Medicare Fraud Prevention Week.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is ready to provide you with the information you need to PROTECT yourself from Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and REPORT your concerns. SMPs help educate and empower Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud. Your SMP can help you with your questions, concerns, or complaints about potential fraud and abuse issues. It also provides information and educational presentations.

Prevent: The most effective way to stop Medicare fraud from happening is to prevent it in the first place. Steps to prevent Medicare fraud:

• Don't answer unknown calls. Wait for a message and call the person back.
• Stay up to date on the latest scams from the SMP through social media, the national fraud schemes pages, or local events.
• Download the SMP mobile app, SMP Medicare Tracker.

Detect: For situations you can't prevent, learning how to detect potential fraud, errors, and abuse is very important. Steps to detect Medicare fraud:

• Learn How to Read Your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) to spot red flags.
• Create a Medicare.gov account to review claims quicker. MSNs are mailed every 180 days or at least twice a year.
• Request and use a My Health Care Tracker from the SMP and track what happens at appointments to then compare with what is billed on the MSNs and/or Explanation of Benefits (EOBs).

Report: If you find something concerning on an MSN or accidentally gave out your Medicare information, report it! Don't hide it and don't be ashamed. Scammers are really good at what they do and the SMP is here to help. Steps to report Medicare fraud:

• Fill out this online form to be connected to your local SMP.
• Call 1-877-808-2468 to be connected to your local SMP.
• Use the SMP Medicare Tracker app's report fraud button which works just like the online form.
• Medicare Card Scams.pdf