Illinois SMP Program Fraud Alerts

 

The Illinois SMP Program sends email Fraud Alerts every Friday. These alerts contain fraud-related news articles, information about current scams in Illinois or other parts of the United States, and useful healthcare or fraud-related resources. If you would like to be added to the Illinois SMP Fraud Alert email list, please contact:

Erin Weir, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator

Phone: (800)699-9043, (708)383-0258

TTY: (708)524-1653

Fax: (708)524-0870

erin.weir@ageoptions.org

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Illinois SMP Fraud Alert - April 2, 2010

Dear SMP readers,

Today’s Fraud Alert is a day early because I will be out of the office tomorrow. It’s also a little shorter, after last week’s long one!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Erin Weir, MSW, LSW, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator

AgeOptions

1048 Lake Street, Suite 300

Oak Park, IL 60301

phone (708)383-0258 fax (708)524-0870

erin.weir@ageoptions.org

ageoptions.org

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Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you have any questions about the Illinois SMP program, or to receive these Fraud Alerts directly, please contact Erin Weir, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator at AgeOptions.

What you will find in this week’s Fraud Alert

• CMS Regional Office Reports Medicare Card Scam
• Phone Calls to Medicare Beneficiaries
• Grandparents Scam Warning
• AARP Scam Alert Features Missouri SMP

CMS Regional Office Reports Medicare Card Scam

The Chicago office of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reported receiving a number of complaints about a phone scam acting to obtain Medicare beneficiaries’ personal information. In this scam, the caller states that there is a new mandatory Medicare card that will pay 90% of a persons’ benefits. The caller then says that in order to get the card, the person has to give their Social Security number and birthdate.

Please always remind Medicare beneficiaries that anyone who truly works for Medicare will NOT ask someone for their Medicare number – CMS already has that information. If anyone experiences this scam or anything like it, please report the incident to the Illinois SMP program at (800)699-9043.

Phone Calls to Medicare Beneficiaries

Please see the following notice regarding a Medicare demonstration program that may be contacting Medicare beneficiaries starting in April:

“The Medicare Senior Risk Reduction Demonstration also know as Medicare’s Staying Healthy Program and Staying Healthy USA will once again begin enrollment at the end of April through October, 2010. This is a demonstration program you may remember from last year where a group of Medicare beneficiares are randomly selected and recruited to voluntarily participate in this program.

Medicare beneficiaries may receive mail and/or phone invitations to participate and since this demonstration which only impacts approximately 40,000 Medicare beneficiaries. Due to the small size of the demonstration and short time frame (3 years) 1-800-MEDICARE customer service reps are not always familiar with these programs. So once again we wanted to ask for the assistance of the SMP and assure you we have worked with our vendors to make sure they do not request Medicare HIC numbers from potential participants. The only exception is when a spouse also wishes to participate then itis necessary for our vendors to collect a Medicare number to determine whether the spouse meets study eligibility requirements.”

If anyone is concerned about a phone call they receive where the caller states that they are “from Medicare”, the person can contact the Illinois SMP program at (800)699-9043 for assistance.

Grandparents Scam Warning

The Chester, Illinois Chief of Police released a warning this week stating that a local bank has reported two incidents of the “Grandparents Scam” in their area. This scam involves a phone call, often to an older adult, from someone who claims to be a family member or loved one in dire need of money due to a crisis. The caller asks the person to wire money right away to assist, and asks the person not to tell any other family members for personal reasons. The caller may even already know information about the person or the person’s family member – they may state a grandchild’s name or other information. This information is often obtained from the internet, via social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter. The warning states:

“To avoid becoming a victim police suggest conducting your own investigation before responding. Ask questions. Even if the caller can answer a number of personal questions, remain skeptical. Make telephone calls to the alleged family members parents or friends. Call the family member claiming to be on the other line, even if the caller implores you not to. Check with your bank or local police department as well.”

Anyone who experiences this scam should contact their local police department.

AARP Scam Alert Features Missouri SMP

This week’s AARP “Scam Alert” article discusses the ObamaCare scam reported by the Missouri SMP and mentioned in last week’s Fraud Alert:

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/scamalert/articles/ scam_alert_that_s_not_uncle_sam_at_your_door_selling_an_
obamacare_policy_.html?cmp=NLC-RSS-DAILY-BULLETIN

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Fraud Alerts contain information about current scams taking place in Illinois, announcements and updates about programs or services related to health care and/or fraud protection, and links to news articles about health care and fraud topics. Please forward any recommendations or announcements that you would like to be included in a future Fraud Alert to erin.weir@ageoptions.org.

AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, is committed to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity of older adults and those who care about them – through leadership and support, community partnerships, comprehensive services, accurate information and powerful advocacy.

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