Anatomy of a Medicare scam

SANDUSKY — According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, Medicare fraud is big business for criminals. Each year, the U.S. government loses an estimated $60 billion to fraud, errors and abuse within Medicare — though the exact amount is impossible to measure. These staggering losses affect not only taxpayers but also the millions of seniors and people with disabilities who rely on the program for essential health care. When thieves steal from Medicare, there is less money available for the care older Americans truly need. This fraud threatens the stability of the Medicare system. Unnecessary tests, medical equipment or prescriptions ordered solely to generate fraudulent claims can expose patients to harmful side effects or complications. In some cases, providers — including doctors, pharmacies and medical suppliers — make reckless decisions or deliberately falsify claims to receive payments they did not earn. Fraud schemes are often complex and carefully organized. Criminals may set up fake clinics, bill for services never provided or recruit beneficiaries to share their Medicare numbers in exchange for cash or gifts. While Medicare is working to crack down on abuse through stronger oversight and enforcement, scammers continue to evolve their tactics. Here are just a few ways in which Medicare consumers are being scammed: • Billing for medical services or equipment that patients never received • Offering "free" medical equipment in exchange for a Medicare number • Stealing Medicare numbers to submit fraudulent claims • Charging for more expensive services than were actually provided Protecting your Medicare number, reviewing statements carefully and reporting suspicious activity are a must. Want to go? To do your part in preventing the Medicare system from being ripped off, Serving Our Seniors asks for your attendance at its upcoming forum, The Anatomy of a Medicare Scam, happening from 1:30-3 p.m. on Thursday, March 5 at the Erie County Senior Center, 620 E. Water St., Sandusky. Jodi Roberts, senior Medicare patrol outreach specialist, will present scenarios to the audience and challenge you to discern: Is it a scam or is it legit? Roberts will discuss the elements used and what additional information or actions someone should take to determine if it is a scam. An audience of 30 or more is required. Call Serving Our Seniors reservation line 419-504-0585 no later than Tuesday. Leave your name and phone number and the date of this event. If the forum is canceled, you will be notified by phone.