Sebelius warns: "Your Medicare ID is valuable."
We had Kathleen Sebelius on our legislative issues show "Inside E Street" today; host Sheilah Kast asked her about widespread Medicare fraud. Sebelius reminded us that many fraud issues are exposed by Medicare beneficiaries themselves - that means you.
If your provider says anything along these lines, you'll want to be wary:
1) The test is free; he only needs your Medicare number for his records. NOTE: For clinical laboratory tests, there is no co-payment and a provider may in good faith state that the test is free, since there is no cost to the person with Medicare.
2) Medicare wants you to have the item or service.
3) They know how to get Medicare to pay for it.
4) The more tests they provide the cheaper they are.
5) The equipment or service is free; it won't cost you anything.
6) Offer you payments or gifts to go to clinics or offices.
Bookmark this page - there's more tips as well as information on who to contact if you think fraud may have occurred.
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