| Medicare provides millions of beneficiaries with access to needed durable medical equipment. However, when someone reaches out offering free medical equipment on behalf of Medicare, it’s often a fraud attempt. |
| How It Works• You receive an unsolicited call or other communication from someone claiming to be a Medicare representative.•They offer you a free medical device or testing, such as a back or knee brace or DNA testing for chronic diseases.•If you decline, the caller may warn that if you don’t accept the offer, you will lose the right to receive the benefit.•The caller will ask you for your Medicare number to process the benefit. What You Should Know• Medicare will not reach out to you unless you have an issue that you are working through with the agency.•Only Medicare beneficiaries’ health care providers can prescribe medical equipment or testing. If someone other than your provider offers you these resources, they are trying to deceive you.•Fraud criminals who get people to accept “free” equipment or testing illegally bill Medicare for services never received, or they sell their victims’ personal information to someone who will use it to get medical care in the victim’s name. This could wreak havoc on your Medicare records. What You Should Do• If someone contacts you claiming to be from Medicare and offering you free medical equipment or testing, disengage. It is fraudulent.•If you need medical equipment or a prescription, talk to your doctor.•Provide your Medicare number only to trusted, personal health care providers and only when necessary.•Carefully review your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits for any unexpected services, tests or equipment.•Contact your provider if you see unexpected charges. If you suspect fraud, call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to report it. |