CMS’ Medicare Provider Directories Have High Levels of Inaccuracies
While Medicare’s open enrollment completed last Friday, December 7, beneficiaries who enrolled into or switched Medicare Advantage plans in order to stay with their current providers may be in for a...
View ArticleDME Conviction & Fraud Settlement Reported
Durable medical equipment (DME) fraud continues to be one of the top kinds of fraud reported to our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). We receive many cases where beneficiaries disclose personal...
View ArticleBeware of Fake Calls Regarding Your Social Security Number
Last fall we warned of “spoofed” Social Security phone scams, where scammers “appear” to be from Social Security and ask for your Social Security number. These scams are continuing AND the Federal...
View ArticleBeneficiaries Pay the Price for Hospice Fraud
Hospice fraud continues to be one of the top three types of Medicare fraud reported to our California Senior Medicare Patrol each month. Not only is this fraud robbing Medicare and taxpayers of...
View ArticleSMP Warning: “Free” Genetic Testing or Cancer Screenings Offers Are a Scam
If you are approached by someone who offers a “free” genetic testing or cancer screening, turn it down. This is not a free test and needs to be performed by your primary physician if medically...
View ArticleDurable Medical Equipment ~ Medicare Scams on the Rise
Durable medical equipment is one of the top arenas where Medicare fraud truly has run amok. Here’s a prime example — We’ve all seen ads in the newspapers or on television that say you can get a knee...
View ArticleFeds Put an End to $1.2 Billion Medicare Brace Scam
In one of the largest fraud take-downs yet, federal agents broke up a $1.2 billion Medicare brace scam earlier this month. Twelve people were charged. These 12 included doctors who wrote bogus...
View ArticleBeware of Increasing Genetic Testing Scams
Our California Senior Medicare Patrol has seen an alarming increase in fraudulent billing where older adults are deceived into getting a cheek swab procedure done (aka genetic testing). The scammer...
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New Fraud Alert in 9 Languages ~ Beware of Genetic Testing Scams
Reports of genetic testing scams continue to increase and are currently our top reported scam in California. Because of this, we’ve created a new fraud alert available in 9 languages. It includes an...
View ArticleHouse Adopts Rep. Porter Amendment to Protect Medicare Beneficiaries from Fraud
Congresswoman’s amendment will increase funding for federal program to protect Medicare recipients from fraud and abuse. The House of Representatives today adopted an amendment by Congresswoman...
View ArticleSay No to “Free” Genetic Tests
Below is a commentary by Greg Dill, Medicare’s regional administrator for Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the Pacific Territories. If you’re approached by someone who offers “free” genetic...
View ArticleAre You Part of This Year’s Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey? Learn How to...
Usually we tell people that Medicare will neither call you nor show up at your door. If either of these things happen, it’s a red flag for fraud. Yet, just like most things, there is an exception....
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New Fraud Alert Targets Fraudulent Hospice Enrollments
Fraudulent hospice enrollments are on the rise and are dangerous. Not only do they rob Medicare and taxpayers of millions of dollars each year, they can also have serious consequences on beneficiaries....
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New Fraud Alert ~ Beware of Offers for “Free” Back Braces Covered by Medicare
Scammers are broadcasting TV commercials or contacting Medicare beneficiaries by phone to offer “free or low cost” knee, back and other orthotic braces. If you disclose your Medicare number, you can...
View ArticleLearn Tips to Stop Illegal Robocalls
Do you or someone you know receive multiple unwanted and illegal robocalls a day? If so, our partners at the National Center on Law & Elder Rights (NCLER) can help. They recently created a new tip...
View ArticleSMP & Advocates Address Top Medicare Scams in 2-Min News Video
Micki Nozaki, our California SMP Project Director, and our partner, Adrienne Omansky, founder of Stop Senior Scams Acting Troupe, do a great job discussing two of our top Medicare scams affecting...
View ArticleAs Medicare Open Enrollment Approaches, Continue to Guard Your Card!
As Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7) approaches, and public outreach about Medicare enrollment options and changes for 2020 increase, scammers will most likely ramp up their efforts to strike....
View ArticleNAIC Cautions Free Financial Seminars May Not Be a Bargain
Below is a press release is from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC): Hundreds of financial seminars are presented each year, often boosting attendance by offering a free meal at...
View ArticleSocial Security Phone Scams on the Rise ~ When in Doubt, Hang Up!
We’ve written a couple warnings on “spoofed” Social Security phone scams, where scammers “appear” to be from Social Security and ask for your Social Security number. These scams are continuing AND...
View ArticleEnroll in Hospice & Get a Visa? Newest Trends in Medicare Hospice Fraud
Have you or a loved one received any of the following offers? “Enroll in hospice and receive free cooking and cleaning! All covered by Medicare!” “Sign up for our hospice program and receive an...
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