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June 2017 Fraud Prevention Fact

06/02/2017

 

           June 2017 Fraud Prevention Fact

 

This month’s Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) Fraud Fact focuses on marketers, fraudsters and scam artists who may try to trick you into buying something by using U.S. mail, AKA snail mail. As a Medicare beneficiary or someone getting ready to enroll in Medicare, you will receive a lot of pieces of mail disguised as official correspondence from Medicare. 

People nearing 65 years old are sometimes inundated with direct mail offers that deal with Medicare. If you fall into that category, be extra careful. An insurance company might send you an official looking letter, offering you a free updated guide so that you can understand your rights and be aware of deadlines for taking action. They might even be using likenesses of  the red, white and blue Medicare cards and official guides. But, despite the official look, these folks do not represent Medicare.

Deadlines do exist, and you do have rights, but you do not need to answer these ads to find out. Medicare.gov is a great website offering such information. And CLAIM, the state health insurance assistance program, can help you for free without trying to sell anything. Many area agencies on aging offer free, unbiased benefits counseling for free.  Don’t be fooled by literature that looks legit. Read the fine print. As always, report suspected Medicare fraud to the Missouri SMP at (888) 515-6565.  SMPs are funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living, Administration on Aging.