MOUNT VERNON – Knox Community Hospital wants to increase awareness of potential Medicare fraud attempts in our area.
Open enrollment for Medicare began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. Regrettably, scammers seem to be using this open enrollment period as an opportunity to try to trick people to share personal information.
Typically, the scammers are using individuals’ Medicare numbers and fraudulently billing Medicare for a fictitious claim.
Affected individuals may face a confusing and stressful situation, including obtaining a new number and card from Medicare and possible complications in receiving legitimate medical supplies in the future.
Red flags
Red flags to watch for:
- You do not recognize the ordering physician’s name nor have you been seen by the physician.
- The ordering physician is located in another state.
- You receive an Explanation of Benefits document or Medicare Summary Notice document with a large quantity of supplies you have never received.
- You do not have a medical condition that would require the supplies.
Need help?
If you are unsure whether a call or offer is from Medicare, or if you gave your personal information to someone claiming to be with Medicare, call 800-MEDICARE to report it.
Ohioans with Medicare questions can contact the Ohio Department of Insurance’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) at 800-686-1578, email oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov, and insurance.ohio.gov. OSHIIP is the state’s official Medicare educational and counseling program.