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Most
health care providers are honest and are providing the best care
they can, but the small number who aren't find ways to steal billions
of dollars from the health care system each year. Even more is lost
to errors in billing that are never found. Below you will find current
scams that are happening right here in Iowa.
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 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Wants Your Help to Stop “Medical Discount Card” Fraud
The FTC has asked for the help of SMP around the country, to warn seniors about possible scams. “Medical Discount Cards” are often misleading at least, if not outright scams. Advertisements are seen on television or the Internet, or on faxes and e-mails, or by recorded phone calls and radio ads. They claim these discount cards can be used at your doctor or pharmacy to help supplement your Medicare. In fact, very few if any doctors or pharmacies accept these discount cards and you’ve thrown good money away, buying into these programs. (You have to pay a fee, before the discount card is sent to you – a discount card that is NO GOOD!)
Please report any examples to us at SMP and we’ll turn over the information to the FTC. If you’ve actually been a victim of this type of scam, please tell us about your experience.
Posted: 01/11/2010
If You Receive your Home Medical Supplies by Mail – Listen Up!
A northeast Iowa woman who receives her diabetes testing supplies by mail, received a mysterious package from the company. The box contained some equipment she’d never seen before. She called the company to ask what it was and why they sent it. The company told her it was to help with her pain and that her doctor had ordered it for her. This was not true. She doesn’t need help with pain problems and so she had never talked to her doctor about such a thing. She called Medicare and arranged to have the box returned to the company.
Medical supply companies are not supposed to send you anything you didn’t discuss with your doctor and ask for. If this happens to you, you can ask Medicare for help with returning the package or you can call SMP for help, at 1-800-423-2449.
Posted: 01/11/2010
2009 H1N1 (Swine) Flu Scams
Don’t think you’ve read everything possible about the flu yet! The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting the public to avoid fraud that may be committed in connection with the new flu that emerged in April. We have all heard the cautions to avoid becoming overly alarmed about the flu and the reminders to practice good hygiene. Here are two new pieces of advice:
1. Be wary of Internet sites selling products that claim to prevent, treat or cure the H1N1 flu virus. Only the FDA can develop and produce a vaccine to help prevent persons from being infected. Some companies are trying to sell items they say can diagnose, prevent or cure the flu. You should rely on information and advice only from your doctor and pharmacist or the FDA. For more information see http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/H1N1Flu/#fraud or call the FDA at 1-888-463-6332.
2. Watch out for e-mail “phishing” scams asking you to click on a link which may cause computer viruses or malfunctions. The Department of Homeland Security’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team (called US-CERT) is aware these types of e-mails are being sent with the subject listed as the swine flu.
Please rely on information from your local media news, the FDA and your county health department.
Posted: 05/12/2009
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