NATIONWIDE — The New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), an organization dedicated to advocacy for the rights of seniors in New York State, recently announced its Fraud of the Month for February: Scams involving new Medicare cards.

It is estimated that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year. 

The StateWide Fraud of the Month is a component of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), the resource for New York State’s senior citizens and caregivers to detect, prevent and report healthcare fraud, errors and abuse. StateWide is New York’s grantee/administrator for this federal program.

“Every new year, scammers target Medicare beneficiaries with fraudulent schemes involving their Medicare cards. It is important to remember that Medicare is not issuing new cards this year or any year. Don’t let scammers trick you,” said Maria Alvarez, executive director of StateWide.

Be cautious of calls claiming to be from Medicare, and asking for the names of doctors, your medical condition, diagnoses or medications. Scammers often use this tactic to make their schemes seem legitimate.

Medicare cards do not expire. Scammers may say you need a new card for the new year—but don’t fall for it.

Beware of offers for special Medicare cards made of plastic, metal or with a “special chip.” Medicare only issues standard paper cards; the cards do not need to be replaced or upgraded to access benefits.

How to protect yourself

• Verify unknown or suspicious callers. If you’re unsure if a call is legitimate, hang up and call Medicare at 800/MEDICARE (800/633-4227) or the NY Senior Medicare Patrol helpline at 800/333-4374.
• Don’t trust any phone number provided by the caller.
• Don’t engage. If any unexpected calls, texts or emails asking for personal information are received, hang up or delete the message immediately. Do not provide any personal details.
• Guard the card. Treat Medicare and Social Security numbers like a credit card—keep them private and secure.
• If Medicare fraud is suspected, report it to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol helpline above.

“We have trained counselors to help educate Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against health care fraud. To report Medicare fraud, errors or abuse, you can call our NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800/333-4374 or visit www.nysenior.org,” Alvarez said.

StateWide provides information and educational presentations, assistance regarding any Medicare questions, plan comparisons, appeals, billing issues and patients’ rights to all seniors throughout New York State.

The project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG01701, by the U.S. Administration for Community Living. [Ed. note: Its current funding status is unknown.]

To learn more in New York, call Loren Pomerantz at 917/902-0219 or email loren@combined-forces.com.

In PA, visit www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/medicaid-fraud/.