Senior Medicare Patrol
Medicare Part D Alert
With major changes in prescription drug assistance now in effect, there
is great potential for new fraudulent practices feeding upon the
confusion of senior beneficiaries. The vast amount of money being poured
into Medicare prescription drug coverage and the vulnerabilities within
the program make it a prime target for fraud, waste and abuse.
The following are tips to protect you from potential scams, fraud and
abuse:
• Protect your Medicare number as you would your credit card
information.
• Medicare prescription drug plans have the “Medicare-Approved” seal on
their materials.
• People who are really marketing a Medicare prescription drug plan
can’t come to your home uninvited.
• Telemarketing of Medicare prescription drug plans is allowed with some
limitations. Plans can only call between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
You cannot be enrolled in a plan or asked to pay for a drug plan over
the phone, during that initial call. However, plans can request that you
call them back to enroll, offer to send information or to arrange an
appointment for a representative to visit your home.
• To stop repeated and unwanted sales calls simply say “stop”. Plans are
required to honor your “do not call again” requests.
• Any telemarketing of Medicare prescription drug plans must comply with
the Do-Not-Call Registry.
• Pharmacists, physicians and other health care providers cannot steer
beneficiaries to a plan that furthers their own financial interest.
• Medicare doesn’t recommend one plan over another.
• Compare plan benefits on-line. Visit Medicare’s website at
www.medicare.gov and check out their “Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
Finder”. This tool will provide information on the specific drug plans
available to Virginia and a comparison of each plan’s benefits.
• Call for more information. If you would like more information or wish
to verify that a drug plan is Medicare-Approved, you can call Medicare
at 1-800 MEDICARE or the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance
Program (VICAP) at Senior Connections-(804) 343-3014.
• Resist pressure tactics. If someone tries to pressure you into making
a decision, say, “No”. Explain you want time to review the information.
If at any point you feel endangered, call your local police department.
REPORT Possible Fraud. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) provides
education, assistance and advocacy to consumers to identify report and
prevent Medicare and Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse.
The Senior Medicare Patrol Project is a service provided by the
Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Call 1-800-938-8885 for
more information or to report possible Medicare or Medicaid fraud.
This project is supported by Grant # 90AM2583 from the Administration
on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201
