Fraud Alert:
COVID-19 Scams
As
the number of people and
communities affected by
the COVID-19 pandemic
grows, so do the scams
associated with it.
Scammers use public health
emergencies as
opportunities for new
fraud schemes, and because
older adults and people
with disabilities are at
greater risk for serious
illness from COVID-19,
they may target these
populations.
It’s
important to remember that
although the Centers for
Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) and other
public health officials
may contact you if they
believe you may have been
exposed to the virus, they
will not need to ask you
for insurance or financial
information.
Scammers
rapidly alter their
tactics and adapt their
schemes to the changing
landscape, and we
anticipate that they will
leverage the COVID-19
vaccine to prey on
unsuspecting people. Be
vigilant and protect
yourself from potential
fraud concerning COVID-19
vaccines and treatments.
Here
are things you need to
know about the COVID-19
vaccine:
- You
likely will not need to
pay anything
out-of-pocket to get the
vaccine during this
public health emergency.
- You
cannot pay to put your
name on a list to get
the vaccine.
- You
cannot pay to get early
access to the vaccine.
- You
will not be solicited
door to door to receive
the vaccine.
- No one
from Medicare or the
Health Department with
contact you.
- No one
from a vaccine
distribution site or
health care payer, like
a private insurance
company, will call you
asking for your Medicare
number, Social Security
number, or your credit
card or bank account
information to sign you
up to get the vaccine.
The
Senior Medicare Patrol
(SMP) recommends that
Medicare beneficiaries:
- Contact
your own doctor if you
are experiencing
potential symptoms of
COVID-19.
- Do not
give out your Medicare
number, Social Security
number, or personal
information in response
to unsolicited calls,
texts, emails, home
visits, or booths at
health fairs and other
public venues. If your
personal information is
compromised, it may be
used in other fraud
schemes as well.
- Be
suspicious of anyone
going door-to-door to
offer free coronavirus
or COVID-19 testing,
supplies, treatments, or
vaccines.
- Beware
of providers offering
other products,
treatments, or medicines
to prevent the virus.
Check with your health
care provider before
paying for or receiving
any COVID-19-related
treatment.
- If you
get a call, text, email
— or even someone
knocking on your door —
claiming they can get
you early access to the
vaccine, STOP. That’s a
scam.
- Carefully
review your Medicare
Summary Notice (MSN) or
Explanation of Benefits
(EOB), looking for
errors or claims for
products or services
that weren’t received.
- Follow
the instructions of your
state or local
government for other
actions you should be
taking in response to
COVID-19.
- Contact
your local SMP for help.
SMPs empower and assist
Medicare beneficiaries,
their families, and
caregivers to prevent,
detect, and report
health care fraud,
errors, and abuse.
The
Senior Medicare Patrol
(SMP) is ready to provide
you with the information
you need to PROTECT
yourself from Medicare
fraud, errors, and abuse;
DETECT potential fraud,
errors, and abuse; and
REPORT your concerns. SMPs
help educate and empower
Medicare beneficiaries in
the fight against health
care fraud. Your SMP can
help you with your
questions, concerns, or
complaints about potential
fraud and abuse issues. It
also provides information
and educational
presentations. To locate
your local Senior Medicare
Patrol, call
1-877-808-2468 or visit www.smpresource.org.
More
Information
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