Tips from the Federal Trade Commission and the Maine Senior Medicare Patrol – Daily Bulldog

LEWISTON – SeniorsPlus, Western Maine’s designated Area Agency on Aging, has been requested to move alongside details about Medicare rip-off alerts.

The Maine Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a nationwide program combating fraud and abuse within the Medicare system, wish to move on a couple of tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the best way to keep away from changing into a sufferer of a rip-off.

People on Medicare — and those that aren’t — are usually focused for scams. You might need gotten a name saying one thing like “Hello, this is Medicare calling. Your coverage is about to be canceled.” Every 12 months throughout open enrollment season (and loads of different instances too), scammers pretending to be from the federal government name making an attempt to steal your cash and your private data. Here’s what to do:

• Hang up. If somebody calls claiming to be affiliated with Medicare, asking in your Social Security quantity or checking account data to get a brand new card or new advantages, that’s a rip-off. Period.
• Never give private data to a caller claiming to be affiliated with Medicare. You can’t belief your caller ID. Scammers could make these calls appear like they’re coming from the federal government even once they’re not. Before you give out any private data, make your personal name to 1-800-MEDICARE to test it out.
• Report the decision. Report these impersonators at 1-800-MEDICARE and ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The extra we hear from you, the extra we may also help battle scams.

Another rip-off is said to Medicare Part D, which is an optionally available prescription drug insurance coverage program for individuals on Medicare. You pay a month-to-month premium to an insurance coverage provider in your Part D plan. In return, you employ the insurance coverage provider’s community of pharmacies to purchase your prescription drugs. To defend individuals, the regulation may be very particular about how Medicare prescription drug plan suppliers conduct themselves.

• Medicare Part D plan representatives might enroll you on the cellphone provided that YOU name them. To be on the secure facet, name Medicare first to take a look at any supplier it’s possible you’ll be tempted to contact. The quantity to name is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and the TTY quantity is 1-877-486-2048. The Medicare cellphone line is open 24 hours a day. The authorities doesn’t advocate any explicit prescription drug plan — it merely verifies {that a} supplier is legit.
• Anyone who contacts you about Medicare Part D with out you searching for them out first is probably going a scammer. Don’t share your data, and don’t pay them.
• Medicare Part D suppliers might come to your private home provided that you’ve invited them. Don’t speak to anybody who involves your door with unsolicited presents of drug protection. The regulation says prescription drug profit firms can’t go to your private home until you’ve given them permission.

To report suspected Medicare fraud, contact your native Senior Medicare Patrol Program at 1-877-353-3771. To be taught extra about Medicare Part D and the plans out there in your space: name 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or go to Medicare.gov.