Bad actors are filing fraudulent claims with Medicare, especially relating to durable medical equipment such as urinary catheters and supplies
- Here is a link to information that the government has issued to alert the public about this issue: Consumer Alert: Urinary Catheter Scams | Office of Inspector General | Government Oversight | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They advise:
- If you receive a call from someone offering you free urinary catheters or other Durable Medical Equipment and services that will be billed to Medicare, hang up immediately.
- Be suspicious of anyone who offers you free medical equipment and then requests your Medicare number. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.
- If medical equipment is delivered to you, don’t accept it unless it was ordered by your physician. Refuse the delivery or return it to the sender. Keep a record of the sender’s name and the date you returned the items.
- Review any Explanation of Benefits documents you receive. Scan for any supplies you did not order.
- Medicare enrollees should be cautious of unsolicited requests for Medicare numbers. No one other than your provider’s office should ever request your Medicare information. There is no other circumstance when it is appropriate or safe to provide it.
- Prevent and detect health care fraud by staying aware of urinary catheter and other scams. Your local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program can help. Visit www.smpresource.org or call 877-808-2468 for more information.
- If you suspect Medicare fraud, report it immediately online or call the HHS-OIG Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477).
- If something doesn’t look right or you are not sure about something but the EOB identifies that your healthcare provider ordered the items, contact their office for more information. Fraudsters are identifying unsuspecting healthcare providers as well as patients.