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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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 Medicare Advantage Plan Sales Techniques -- During March and April, 2008 we’ve received several reports from throughout eastern Iowa, of Medicare recipients receiving phone calls from sales agents promising “free” plans with no deductibles/co-payments, or agents stating the customer must buy other products such as life insurance, or plans being sold without the customer understanding the limits on participating providers or covered services. www.medicare.gov has information about how to review Medicare Advantage plans and what rules salespersons must follow (for example, must call you for permission to visit you in your home).
Posted: 04/10/2008
HOME VISITS BY PHONY HEALTH CARE WORKERS -- Other Midwest states have reported persons in white lab coats, making home visits, telling residents they want to “make certain they are receiving the medical care they need.” They describe their “services” as free, take pulse and blood pressure and then tell the person it appears they need further care. They obtain the person’s Medicare number and tell them they are arranging to pick them up later for a clinic visit. Of course, there is no return visit and with the Medicare number, they submit fraudulent Medicare claims.
Posted: 03/10/2008
PHARMACY SCAM CALLS -- The Iowa Department of Elder Affairs recently issued an alert to older consumers about fraudulent activity occurring in Iowa. An Internet pharmacy company has called Iowans telling them that everyone on Medicare must sign up for their pharmacy service and must provide their bank account information in order to have monthly premiums automatically withdrawn. They do provide a phone number, but when called, there’s simply a message that it’s a “customer service” number and “please hold.” This information was collected by the Iowa Department of Human Services, reported by several citizens. If you receive a similar call, please report this to your Area Agency on Aging or Iowa SMP.
Posted: 03/10/2008
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