Every year, an unbelievable amount of medicare
, and general health care fraud and deceptions are made against the elderly in our nation. Providers of medical equipment, medication, and insurance often scam unknowing senior citizens and the elderly out of money.
To me this is both disgusting and sad. It seems ludicrous that people, or medical providers who are in the business of providing a service, or HELP, would think to scam other human beings. You're suppose to be doing good, not evil!
However, this does happen and I'm glad that the federal government are finally starting to recognize the problem. A new program called "Senior Medical Patrol" aims to train retired doctors, nurses, teachers, etc. to educated senior citizens and their families how to stay away from medicare fraud and scams.
Some of the things this program teaches senior citizens and their families to be aware of are:
- Providers who advertise free testing or screening.
- Offers of free medical equipment or supplies.
- Providers who offer to waive co-payments and deductibles.
- Offers of free groceries (or any other substitute) in exchange for your Medicare number or your Medicare statement.
- Door-to-door or telephone solicitors who offer free or discounted Medicare services or items.
- Advertisements that read: "Call 1-800-NUMBER; This item is approved by Medicare; No out-of-pocket expenses".
- When your Part B Medicare statement shows items or services that you did not receive.
- Suppliers that provide more expensive equipment than medically necessary (motorized wheelchairs, electric beds, lifts, etc.).
- Suppliers that provide lower cost equipment while billing Medicare for higher cost equipment.
- Medical justifications for equipment, items or supplies signed by a doctor who does not know you.
- Medical suppliers or providers that accept Medicare assignment but charge you more than the 20 percent of the Medicare-approved charge.
- Suppliers that bill Medicare for home medical equipment while the patient is in the hospital or nursing home.
- Suppliers that refuse to pick up rental items and continue to bill Medicare long after you no longer use them.
However, while this is definitely a great starting point, I feel like the government should also be investing in new criminal departments whose sole purpose is to catch these scam artists and fraudulent providers. After, all, you can only warn and educated senior citizens so much and they will only be under the close watchful eyes of their relatives in some cases, that more should therefore be done regarding these offenders!
