Scams related to COVID-19 are rapidly increasing. Scammers are targeting older adults and those with serious long-term health conditions who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19. As a result, fraudsters are attempting to bill Medicare for sham tests or treatment, as well as targeting individuals to illegally obtain money or Medicare numbers.
Actions you can take to help prevent fraud:
- Don't give out your Medicare number to anyone other than your doctor or health care provider.
- Never give out your Medicare number to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts or emails.
- Don't click on links from sources you don't know which could put your computer or device at risk.
- Ignore online offers for vaccinations and ads touting prevention products or cures for COVID-19.
Please visit the SMP National Resource Center web page below for tips on preventing fraud and information about Medicare coverage. www.smpresource.org/…/Med…/Fraud-Schemes/COVID-19-fraud.aspx
Call the Alaska DHSS Medicare Information Office with questions at 800-478-6065 or 907-269-3680 (in Anchorage).
'Free' DNA testing used to scam Medicare recipients
States sound alarm about fraudsters urging cancer screenings reported in an article by Katherine Skiba, AARP, April 19, 2019.
New Medicare Cards – April 2018 to April 2019
Guard Your Card (YouTube Video). From April 2018 to April 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be mailing new Medicare cards to all people with Medicare. In order to help protect people from medical identity theft and keep their private information more secure, the new cards will have Social Security numbers removed from them and each beneficiary will be issued a new Medicare number. This will not change the coverage or benefits currently being received.
To ensure that you receive your card, make sure that your mailing address is up to date. If your address needs to be changed, contact Social Security at ssa.gov/myaccount, or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
Beware of anyone who contacts you about your new Medicare card. CMS will never ask you to give personal or private information in order to get your new Medicare Number and card.
Review this video regarding scams and your card: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156486855994588&id=341188284587
Medicare Minutes
Medicare Minutes are short, engaging presentations on timely Medicare topics that are presented at local sites on a monthly basis. Each month, SHIPs will receive a new Medicare Minute, which they then present at community gathering spots, offering valuable information to their peers, strengthening volunteer participation and establishing programming that has a track record of securing funding from foundation, government, and individual sources.
Medicare Minutes Materials
Medicare Minutes Topics - 2019
Medicare Summary Notice (MSN)
The Medicare Summary Notice is an easy-to-read statement that clearly lists your health insurance claims information. The MSN lists the details of the services you received and the amount you may be billed. These notices are sent by companies that handle bills for Medicare on a quarterly basis, unless you are due a payment check from Medicare. If you are due payment from Medicare, the MSN will be mailed to you as your claims are processed.
The MSN lists all the services or supplies that were billed to Medicare for a 90-day period of time. It is important to check this notice to be sure you got all the services, medical supplies, or equipment that providers billed to Medicare. If you have any questions or if you need an MSN for a particular claim before the quarterly mailing, call the phone number listed in the Customer Service Information box on the front of the MSN. If you disagree with a claims decision, you have the right to file an appeal. Follow the instructions on the MSN to file an appeal.
Medicare's free, secure online service for accessing personalized information about your Medicare benefits and services. After you sign in, you can view claims information, get quality information about your providers, create and print an "On the Go" report with information you can share with your healthcare providers, view and manage your drug list and pharmacy information, and view your current and upcoming preventive services calendar.
Printable Flyers
STOP MEDICARE FRAUD
MEDICARE FRAUD AND SCAM UPDATES