Medicare Fraud Prevention Week 2024 Guidance

AR Insurance News

Published June 3rd, 2024

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Arkansas Department of Insurance is promoting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, June 3-9, 2024. The notice provides tips for Medicare beneficiaries to prevent fraud, identify warning signs, and report suspicious activity to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).

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The Arkansas Department of Insurance has issued a notice for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, highlighting the significant financial losses Medicare incurs annually due to fraud, errors, and abuse. The notice aims to educate Medicare beneficiaries on how to protect themselves by recognizing common scam tactics, such as unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and erroneous billing. It emphasizes the importance of safeguarding personal data and carefully reviewing Medicare statements.

Regulated entities, particularly those interacting with Medicare beneficiaries, should be aware of these public awareness efforts. While this notice does not impose new regulatory requirements, it underscores the ongoing focus on combating Medicare fraud. Healthcare providers and related entities should ensure their practices align with fraud prevention principles and be prepared to assist beneficiaries who may have questions or concerns. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is available to provide assistance and receive fraud reports.

Source document (simplified)

MEDICARE FRAUD PREVENTION WEEK 2024
June 3-9, 2024

How to Prevent Medicare Fraud

Medicare fraud is a serious problem. Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion each year to fraud, errors, and abuse. Every day, these issues affect people across the country and can lead to identity theft and cost you money. The good news? Some simple tips can help you protect yourself.

Watch for warning signs of a scam.

Unsolicited calls, emails, or visits – someone contacting you out of the blue, claiming to be from Medicare and offering free services.
Requests for personal information – a demand for your Medicare number, Social Security number, or other personal information.
Pressure to act quickly – any threat that you'll lose benefits or face other consequences if you don't comply with a deadline, often by paying or providing personal information.
Billings with errors – charges for services or supplies that weren’t ordered, were never received, or that Medicare already covered.
Suspicious websites or mailings – fake websites created to look like official ones but that have inconsistencies, errors, or other odd elements.
Reduce your risk. The most effective way to combat fraud is to prevent it from happening:
Only share your Medicare and Social Security numbers with people you trust.
Carry your Medicare card only when you need it.
Keep a record of all your medical visits and procedures.
Carefully review Medicare statements for mistakes and charges you don’t recognize.
Trust your instincts and report any suspected fraud.
Ask for help.

If you have questions about how to protect yourself, need to report fraud, or want help determining whether you’ve been a victim, Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) can help.

SMP provides free, unbiased, one-on-one assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. SMP has offices in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Local team members teach people how to prevent fraud, assist beneficiaries with billing errors and disputes, and help to report suspected fraud to the correct state and federal agencies. SMP is a national program of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To discover more prevention resources contact the Arkansas Senior Medicare Patrol (AR SMP) at 866-726-2916 or email AID.Insurance.SMP@arkansas.gov .