Most doctors, pharmacists, plans, and other health care providers who work with Medicare are honest. Unfortunately, there may be some who are dishonest.
Medicare is working with other government agencies to protect you and the Medicare Program from such dishonesty. Medicare fraud happens when Medicare is billed for services or supplies you never got. Medicare fraud takes a lot of money every year from the Medicare Program. You pay for it with higher premiums. A fraud scheme can be carried out by individuals, companies, or groups of individuals.
The following are examples of possible Medicare fraud:
- A health care provider bills Medicare for services you never got.
- A supplier bills Medicare for equipment different than what they provided to you.
- Someone uses another person’s Medicare card to get medical care, supplies, or equipment.
- Someone bills Medicare for home medical equipment after it has been returned.
- A company uses false information to mislead you into joining a Medicare plan.
If you suspect billing fraud, here’s what you can do:
1. Contact your health care provider to be sure the bill is correct.
2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
3. Call the Inspector General’s hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users should call 1-800-377-4950.
