Consumer Alert: Ohioans cautioned to watch for Medicare medical supplies scam
COLUMBUS – Ohioans on Medicare need to watch for fraudulent Medicare claims made with their Medicare numbers for medical supplies, most notably urinary catheters, back and knee braces, and glucose monitors, state Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French warns.
The scammers are using individuals’ Medicare numbers and fraudulently billing Medicare, oftentimes thousands of dollars per fraudulent claim, a Feb. 29 news release.
Affected individuals are not impacted financially but face a confusing and stressful situation, including obtaining a new number and card from Medicare and possible complications in receiving legitimate medical supplies in the future. Red flags to watch for: – You do not recognize the ordering physician’s name nor have you been seen by the physician.
– The ordering physician is located in another state.
– You receive an Explanation of Benefits document or Medicare Summary Notice document with a large quantity of supplies you have never received.
– You do not have a medical condition that
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would require the supplies.
Ohioans who have been affected by this Medicare scam should contact the Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-293-4767 or go to proseniors.org to report the scam and get help obtaining a new Medicare number and card.
Ohioans with Medicare questions can contact the Ohio Department of Insurance’s Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) at 800-686-1578, oshiipmail@insurance. ohio.gov, and insurance. ohio.gov. OSHIIP is the state’s official Medicare educational and counseling program.