The New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide), a 53-year-old nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs and well-being of more than 3.6 million seniors in New York State, is warning about Medicare card scams occurring in December.
StateWide’s “Fraud of the Month” is a component of Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), the definitive resource for older adults and caregivers to detect, prevent and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. StateWide is the assignee and administrator of this federal program in New York.
Maria Alvarez, CEO of StateWide, urges seniors to be careful about fake Medicare card calls. She explains: “Scammers are calling people again and claiming that Medicare is issuing new plastic Medicare cards or that you need to “verify your Medicare number” to avoid losing coverage. Don’t be fooled, these calls are 100% fake.
The SMP urges older people to remember that:
– Medicare is NOT mailing new cards made of plastic or metal. Medicare cards do not expire – new ones are never issued unless requested.
– Medicare or a doctor will never call to request information from Medicare.
– Medicare only issues standard paper cards.
– Scammers spoof caller ID to make it look like Medicare or a patient’s doctor is calling.
– Scammers will say that a new card is required for the New Year, but this scam appears at the beginning of each year.
– Never share personal or medical information with unexpected callers.
– Hang up immediately if someone calls asking for Medicare numbers.
How to protect yourself
These are important reminders for Medicare beneficiaries to protect themselves:
– Never share personal or medical information with unexpected callers
– Hang up immediately if someone calls asking for Medicare information
– Review your Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for unknown charges
– Beware of fake Medicare card calls
– Scammers call people again and claim that Medicare is issuing new plastic Medicare cards or that you need to “verify your Medicare number” to avoid losing coverage. Don’t be fooled, these calls are 100% fake!
– Treat Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards: keep them private.
Help is available
Certified counselors from across New York State are ready to help. “If you suspect that your Medicare number has been compromised or you have enrolled in a plan without your permission, contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 800-333-4374, or visit www.nysenior.org . “We have trained counselors to help Medicare beneficiaries in the fight against fraud,” concluded Álvarez.
StateWide also offers educational information and presentations, assistance with any Medicare questions, plan comparisons, appeals, billing issues and patient rights to all seniors throughout New York.
Medicare fraud is estimated to cost taxpayers more than $60 billion annually nationwide. To help combat this illicit industry, in 2022, StateWide announced its “Fraud of the Month” program to raise awareness of these scams that affect seniors.
