Reader Alert: 6 weeks to October 15th…Medicare’s Open Enrollment
Hello Toni:
This week you spoke to our AARP group and I am very concerned about a phone call I received yesterday from a representative from Medicare calling me asking all types of personal questions and telling me that there is a new Medicare card. I told them just what you said that, I did not give personal information over the phone to anyone. I’m concerned I could have made a mistake and that I have missed the new Medicare card. Can you please advise me what I should do or where I could call to see if Medicare is trying to contact me?
I live alone and sometimes it is hard to know what the right thing to do is. Thanks in advance…Doris, a long time Houston follower
Don’t Worry, Doris:
There is no new Medicare card! This is a new Medicare fraud scam that is targeting our senior population because the bad guys know how concerned seniors are about Medicare and the effects of Obamacare. Your Medicare card is still the same card your currently have and I want you to know that Medicare is safe and here for your medical needs.
You can relax because you were right not to give your personal information over the phone due to the fact that Medicare or even Social Security will NEVER randomly call your home or office and ask for your personal or banking information. They generally will send you a letter to let you know you need to contact them.
The bad guys do call, so they can steal your identity. Medicare already has all of the information they need about you.
When someone calls, just as this person did, it is considered Medicare fraud. There is a new organization called Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program that helps people on Medicare learn how to detect Medicare fraud and abuse. To report Medicare Fraud or Abuse call the local SMP Houston office at 713/341-6184 or toll free 1/888-341-6187.
Here are a few tips to help protect you against Medicare fraud:
- Have a safety script by your phone. Tell people you do not give out personal information to anyone who calls. (Get your kids or a friend to help you write it.)
- Tell them to verify who they are and you needs their name, agency name and call back number.
- Stick to the script no matter what. Most likely, they will hang up and move on to the next potential victim.
- Never give your Medicare or Social Security number to strangers, especially those who call you on the phone or come to your door. Just like you tell your grandkids not to talk to stranger, you need not talk to them either. Play the Stranger Danger game.
- Do not carry your Medicare card with you. Keep it in a safe place.
- Do NOT accept “free” offers in exchange for your Medicare number. Remember, there is nothing “free”. They will have Medicare pay for whatever they are offering and they will use your Medicare number to get it paid for!!
- Call the Texas SMP office at 713/341-6184 or 1/888-341-6187 to report Medicare Fraud
Medicare fraud is exploding and the only way to stop Medicare fraud is to let your friends know what I have just told you. We need to stand together and stop those who only want to make a “fast dollar” from Medicare, you and most of all your checking account.
To my readers: There are only 6 weeks until Tuesday, October 15 which is Medicare’s Open enrollment and beginning next week I will begin my series on Medicare…what are my options. Email me any questions regarding Medicare that you need help understanding.
Toni King, author of the new Medicare Survival Guide, which is a simple guide that puts Medicare in “people” terms, is on sale at www.tonisays.com. Toni is an advocate/consultant for those “Confused about Medicare”. Email questions to www.tonisays.com/ask-toni or call 832/519-TONI (8664).
