Seniors warned to beware of Medicare Part D scams
I found this in the Times-News:
Tennessee Attorney General Paul Summers has issued a warning to seniors who are considering signing up for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan: Beware of scams.
“Never give out personal identifying information - medical or financial - unless you know who you are talking to and are sure that the company is approved by Medicare,” Summers said.
Various scams have been popping up across the United States since the Part D benefit was introduced in November, according to Sharon Curtis-Flair, communications director for the attorney general’s office.
“You have some who are legitimate companies that want to sell you a plan that’s not approved (by Medicare). Or it could be even worse - they might just be con artists who are trying to get your personal information so that they can tap into your bank account or open credit in your name,” she said. “They’re not supposed to be calling you up or offering cash or pretending that if you don’t sign up with them, you’re going to lose your benefits.
“The main thing to keep in mind is to check and make sure that it’s a Medicare-approved prescription drug plan. You can do that through the medicare.gov Web site or by calling (800) 633-4227.”
Summers offered these tips to help protect yourself or someone you love from falling victim to a scam:
• Check the list of Medicare-approved prescription drug plans.
The list of approved plans and other information is available at www.medicare.gov or by calling (800) 633-4227 (TTY users call 877-486-2048).
There is also a list of plans in the 2006 “Medicare and You” packet.
Medicare prescription drug plans, which are offered by private companies and organizations, must meet specific standards set by the federal government and must be approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• Guard your personal information from identity thieves posing as salesmen.
Legitimate plans may ask for your Social Security number, but only when you are actually enrolling. They may only ask for credit card or bank account information if you are arranging to have payments for your drug plan automatically withdrawn from that account.
• Beware of fear tactics.
If someone tells you that you must join a drug plan or else you will lose your other Medicare benefits, you have probably encountered a scam.
• Know the law on how Medicare prescription drug plans can be marketed.
It is illegal for companies or organizations marketing Medicare drug plans to come to your door uninvited or to send you unsolicited e-mails. Companies and organizations can call to promote their drug plans, but it’s illegal for them to sign people up during those calls.
They also must obey telemarketing laws - it is illegal for them to call people whose numbers are on the national “do not call” registry or people who have asked not to be called again. They are also not allowed to call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
For more information about your telemarketing rights or to put your phone number on the “do not call” registry, visit www.donotcall.gov or call (888) 382-1222. To put your number on Tennessee’s “do not call” registry, call the Tennessee Regulatory Authority at (800) 342-8359 or visit www.tennessee.gov/tra.
• Beware of plans that come with strings attached.
Companies and organizations are allowed offer modest prizes or gifts (but not cash) to promote their Medicare prescription drug plans, but it is illegal to require anyone to join a drug plan in order to get a prize or gift.
• Do not be fooled by sales materials that look like they are from the government.
Only private companies are authorized to offer the plans, not government agencies.
• Report suspected Medicare drug plan scams.
Call the office of the inspector general in the Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 447-8477 (TTY users call 800-337-4950). You can also report suspected fraud by sending an e-mail to HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov or by writing to Inspector General, HHS; Attention: Hotline; 330 Independence Ave. SW; Washington, DC 20201.
Its sad that medicare scams occur, but sadly they do. Make sure that you read through these tips thoroughly and be wary of all drug plans.