Don't Fall For These Scams

Missouri Fraud Prevention Fact, March 2023

Protect Yourself from Medical Identity Fraud

Medicare has strict payment limits on tests, services, and items such as wheelchairs. When a scammer uses

your name and Medicare number to bill insurance, it becomes part of your medical records. If your

medical identity is compromised, you run the risk of being denied essential services and items. Don’t

let scammers steal your chance to get the coverage you need! Make sure your medical records are accurate.

1. Protect your Medicare number.

Imagine how valuable your name and Medicare number would be in the wrong hands. The Missouri

Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) urges you to treat your Medicare number like it is a credit card number.

Don’t give it out to anyone except a trusted physician or health care provider. Never give your medical

information to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.

2. “Free” usually means that it’s a scam!

We all know there is no such thing as a “free lunch.” Well, the same holds true for a “free back brace.”

Be cautious of anyone offering free diabetic shoes, testing, treatments, supplies, or genetic screening.

3. Call Missouri SMP at (888) 515-6565 for support:

 If you see charges on Medicare statements for services or items that you did not receive or need.

 If you receive braces, testing kits, or other medical supplies in the mail that you did not request.

 If you get contacted by a debt collection agency about a bill for services that you did not receive.

This fraud prevention information is brought to you by Missouri SMP. Our mission is to empower

and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report healthcare

fraud, errors, and abuse. Get more information on our website at https://www.missourismp.org. Call (888)

515-6565 to report suspected Medicare or Medicaid fraud, errors, or abuse.