There is a certain amount of concern about how much we are spending in the Medicare program. While there are some economies that have not been suggested, much has been put forward in an attempt to curb the rising cost of providing care for the elderly and the disabled. One area of expense that costs millions of dollars every year is fraud. Identifying fraud, prosecuting the perpetrators and retrieving the funds taken improperly will go a long way to stop this drain on the system.
One of the ways that fraud occurs is the fake provider. The scammers will set up a store front, file the paper work to become Medicare providers and recruit Medicare recipients to provide them with Medicare numbers and give them a portion of the money they get after they bill Medicare. This type of rip off needs to be tracked from the fraud unit but can be stopped (or slowed down) when alert consumers become aware of the recruiting efforts.
Another way for consumers to spot incorrect billing is the form you get in the mail after you have had some health care service provided. When the provider submits the bill, a payment is made and the covered person is sent a notice called an EOB (explanation of benefits) that should list when the care was provided, who provided the care, what care was provided, how much was billed and how much was paid. Always take the time to read the EOB. Check to be sure that this represents care you or your loved one received and that there are no extra charges. If there are charges for care you did not receive, call Medicare to report a concern. This will start the ball rolling to correct the error.
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