YOU Can Help STOP Medicare Fraud
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), who is in
charge of the Medicare program, is continuing its fight to stop
Fraud and Abuse. Most Medicare payment errors are simple mistakes
and are not the result of physicians, providers, or suppliers trying
to take advantage of the Medicare system. If you have a question or
concern regarding a Medicare claim submitted on your behalf, you
should discuss it directly with your physician, provider, or
supplier that provided the service.
The vast majority of physicians, providers, and suppliers who serve
people with Medicare are committed to providing high quality care to
their patients and to billing the program only for the payments they
have earned.
However, there are a few individuals who are intent on abusing or
defrauding Medicare, cheating the program (and in some cases the
people with Medicare who are liable for co-payments) out of millions
of dollars annually. Medicare fraud takes a lot of money every year
from the Medicare program. People with Medicare pay for it with
higher premiums. This section of the website is dedicated to helping
you to help Medicare to avoid making inappropriate payments to
fraudulent entities.
Please
visit Fraud Section of
The Official Site for Medicare Information for more information.
Ten Tips For Fighting Telemarketing Fraud
- Always remember: YOU are in charge. If you don’t like a
telemarketing offer, hang up!
- Never agree to any solicitation that requires an immediate, on
the spot, buying decision.
- Remember the old adage: "If a deal sounds too good to be true,
it probably is".
- NEVER provide your credit card number over
the phone, unless YOU initiated the call.
- Be suspicious if a telemarketer offers to send someone to your
home to collect money.
- If you are told SOMETHING is "FREE" – But you must pay
something to get it – don’t pay.
- There are very few "risk-free" investments. Always investigate
before you invest.
- Sellers unwilling to give written information or references
don’t deserve your business.
- If sellers won’t provide a business address or phone number, be
VERY suspicious.
- Report suspicious telemarketing activity by Calling the FBI
or call the Federal Trade Commission. Numbers are listed below.
FBI (816)-691-8200
FEDERAL TRADE COMISSION
TOLL-FREE TELEMARTKETING HOTLINE
1-800-876-7060