Medicare Prescription Drug Cards: How to Handle Suspected Fraud
Most people who work with Medicare beneficiaries are honest; however, there are a few who are not so honest. So, how should you handle suspected fraud if a telemarketer wishing to sell you a new Medicare prescription drug card calls you?
The Medicare prescription drug card program will not be fully implemented until June 2004, and no telephone marketing for Medicare-approved drug cards will begin before April 2004. No Medicare-approved drug card representatives are allowed to visit your home. Don't give out your bank account number, credit card number or your Medicare number to anyone without verifying that they work for Medicare. Be suspicious of persons using pressure or scare tactics. Persons representing Medicare will have proper identification and contact information for verification. Report any persons approaching you to the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General's Office at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) and/or your local Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Regional Office at (404) 562-7231.