Learning to Spot Medicare Fraud

Protecting yourself or your parents from Medicare Fraud is not difficult once you know what to look for. Last year, the Department of Justice recovered a billion dollars in health care fraud, in good part as a result of whistleblowers like you. Whistleblowers are entitled to a percentage of what the government recovers. Here are some tips on fraudulent schemes.

Be suspicious of doctors, health care providers or suppliers that tell you:

  1.  The equipment or service is free, it won’t cost you anything and they only need your Medicare number for their records;
  2. Medicare wants you to have an item or service;
  3. The more tests they provider the cheapter the test;
  4. Be suspicious of doctors who use pressure or scare tactics to get you to take diagnostic tests or who offer non-medical transportation or housekeeping as a Medicare-approved service.

Only you can watch out for these kinds of government fraud. Be vigilant Œ and report such activity. You should read your bills from all healthcare providers including hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and physicians. You have a legal right to a complete breakdown of all charges for services and goods. Medicare fraud is a frequent occurence. If you become aware of healthcare fraud and wish to be a whistleblower contact competent legal counsel who can review your claim with care.