AgeWise: Preventing Medicare Fraud
By: Laine Baker
Updated: July 26, 2012
John Pollett from the Division of Aging and Adult Services is looking
for a few good seniors for the Arkansas Senior Medicare Patrol. The
group goes out to educate other seniors on how to avoid becoming victims
of Medicare fraud.
"Medicare doesn't go door to door, make cold calls or have free products," Pollett said.
Seniors may be sucked in by TV commercials telling them they could receive free products - and all they have to do is give up their Medicare number. As with most things in life, nothing is free.
"It may not cost the beneficiary out of pocket, but medicare will be billed," Pollett said.
If a person's Medicare number is used too often, they may lose certain benefits, and if they get items they don't need now they may not be able to get them when they need them in the future.
"Some seniors don't realize some of these are one time services," Pollett said.
The Senior Medicare Patrol also stresses how important it is for people to always carefully read their Medicare summary.
"There are some times that things will be billed to Medicare that the beneficiary didn't receive," he said.
Another important lesson, seniors need to keep their Medicare number a well-guarded secret.
"With a Medicare number anybody could bill Medicare for services," Pollett said.
Pollett also said that Medicare never makes cold calls, and recommends hanging up on anyone that calls saying they are with Medicare.
For more information on how to volunteer for the Senior Medicare Patrol go to: www.daas.ar
"Medicare doesn't go door to door, make cold calls or have free products," Pollett said.
Seniors may be sucked in by TV commercials telling them they could receive free products - and all they have to do is give up their Medicare number. As with most things in life, nothing is free.
"It may not cost the beneficiary out of pocket, but medicare will be billed," Pollett said.
If a person's Medicare number is used too often, they may lose certain benefits, and if they get items they don't need now they may not be able to get them when they need them in the future.
"Some seniors don't realize some of these are one time services," Pollett said.
The Senior Medicare Patrol also stresses how important it is for people to always carefully read their Medicare summary.
"There are some times that things will be billed to Medicare that the beneficiary didn't receive," he said.
Another important lesson, seniors need to keep their Medicare number a well-guarded secret.
"With a Medicare number anybody could bill Medicare for services," Pollett said.
Pollett also said that Medicare never makes cold calls, and recommends hanging up on anyone that calls saying they are with Medicare.
For more information on how to volunteer for the Senior Medicare Patrol go to: www.daas.ar
