Medicare Beneficiaries Warned About Surge in Scams Targeting Seniors

Rising Medicare Scams: Important Alert for Beneficiaries

Medicare beneficiaries are facing increasing threats from scammers targeting older adults with deceptive tactics designed to harvest personal information and compromise their coverage. The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program reports a troubling rise in various scams that put beneficiaries at risk.

Types of Scams to Watch For

1. Medical Equipment Fraud:
Beneficiaries have reported that claims for medical supplies, which they never ordered, are being submitted to Medicare. Items such as urinary catheters, braces, diabetic supplies, and even genetic testing kits have appeared at their doors without a prescription having been issued, raising red flags about the validity of such transactions.

2. Urgent Messaging Scams:
Scammers often use fear-based tactics, asserting that action must be taken immediately to prevent loss of benefits. Calls may urge recipients to confirm their information “to keep their benefits,” a tactic that preys on the anxiety of seniors. It is essential for beneficiaries to know that Medicare will never use threats to secure information.

3. Genetic Testing Scams:
Fraudsters posing as legitimate healthcare providers may solicit sensitive medical history details under the pretense of coordinating necessary genetic tests. Legitimate providers will never subject beneficiaries to pressure to undergo tests that have not been discussed.

4. Imposter Calls from Insurance Partners:
Another alarming trend involves scammers positioning themselves as representatives of beneficiaries’ insurance companies, claiming that they require verification of personal data to issue new insurance or Medicare cards. Hang up immediately if you receive such calls and report them.

5. SMP Imposter Scams:
Some scammers impersonate the Senior Medicare Patrol Program itself, soliciting payments or personal information. Be wary: the SMP will never call unsolicited, nor require payment for information or services.

Protecting Yourself from Scams

To safeguard against these deceptive tactics, beneficiaries should report any suspicious calls or activities immediately. The Massachusetts SMP Program offers support and guidance on how to handle potential scams. Beneficiaries can reach them at (800) 892-0890, or visit their website at www.masmp.org.

Individuals can also educate themselves on how to identify scams by familiarizing themselves with the types of threats facing the Medicare demographic. Awareness is a powerful tool in combating fraud.

Call for Action

Scammers often appear urgent and convincing, making it hard to distinguish between genuine outreach and fraudulent attempts. Seniors should remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited calls or correspondence regarding their Medicare details. Should you feel uncertain about a call, it’s always best to hang up. Verifying the information through official Medicare contact points can help put any concerns to rest.

The Massachusetts SMP Program, spearheaded by AgeSpan, Inc., serves as a crucial ally in the fight against healthcare fraud. With federal backing from the Administration for Community Living, the SMP provides essential education and outreach to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can protect themselves against fraud and other forms of healthcare abuse.

In these times of rising scams, it's imperative for seniors and their families to stay alert and informed about their rights and the resources available to them for reporting fraud. Together, we can help mitigate the impact of these scams on the most vulnerable members of our society.