More than 400,000 Nevadans are Medicare recipients.
If you’re one of those, or you’re about to enroll in Medicare, open enrollment starts Oct. 15, the Nevada Senior Medicare Patrol says there are ways to avoid being a target of healthcare fraud.
Kim Harney-Moore is director of Nevada Senior Medicare Patrol, a federally funded program administered by the state’s Aging and Disability Services Division.
She told KNPR's State of Nevada that older people are especially vulnerable to fraud.
“Most of them have nest eggs so they’re ripe for the picking for someone who wants to go after that money,” she said. “Many times they’re lonely. The phone rings. They enjoy a conversation with someone. And the person on the other end of the line is always charming. They work on greed and fear.”
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
“It’s shrewd to be rude. Hang up the phone,” Harney-Moore advised.
She said that it’s important to keep your Medicare card in a safe place to prevent identity theft: “The number on your Medicare card incorporates your Social Security number. Most people who are under 65 don’t know that. We’re used to carrying our healthcare card.”
If there’s a medical emergency and you need to go to a hospital emergency room, you’ll still be treated even if you don’t have the card with you.
“You shouldn’t carry [your Medicare Card] unless you’re going to a trusted provider or a pharmacy.” Harney-Moore said “The emergency room can always get always get your information from the next of kin, or after the fact. So, it’s not necessary to carry it.”
There are many kinds of phone scams. According to Harney-Moore one involves a gift card.
“Oftentimes it’s door-to-door or over the phone," she said. "They’re offering something for nothing. It could be a gift card. It could be you won a lottery. We caution people: if you didn’t enter a lottery or a sweepstakes, there’s really no chance of you winning. And if they’re asking for your credit card information, or your banking information, in order to pay some fee, it’s absolutely a scam. You should not do it.”
To find out how to avoid Medicare fraud, or to get advice if you have been defrauded: Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) - nevadaSMP.org or call: 1-888-838-7305 (Southern NV) or 1-877-385-2345 (Northern NV).
For Medicare Counseling: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): Phone: 702-486-3478 (Las Vegas) or toll-free, 1-800-307-4444.
Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division
