Protect Yourself from Medicare Prescription Drug Fraud – Know the Signs. Stop the Scam
Prescription drug fraud happens when Medicare is billed for medications you didn’t receive, or you are given the wrong drug. This kind of fraud is growing, especially under Medicare Part D, because it’s easy for scammers to take advantage.
Be Alert to These Common Warning Signs:
- You are billed for drugs you didn’t pick up, don’t take, or weren’t prescribed.
- You see charges from a doctor or pharmacy you don’t know.
- You are given a different drug than your doctor ordered – usually a more expensive one.
- You receive less pills than prescribed, expired medicine, or drugs not approved by the FDA.
- You are offered “free” or “discount” drugs without seeing a doctor.
- A pharmacy offers gift cards to get you to switch prescriptions.•
- You are sent automatic refills for drugs you no longer use – but Medicare is still charged.
- Someone offers you money or gifts in exchange for your Medicare number.
How To Protect Yourself and Your Medicare Benefits:
- See your doctor in person before getting a new prescription.
- Never share your Medicare number with anyone offering “free” products or services.
- Check your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for charges you don’t recognize.
- Be cautious if someone asks for your Medicare number at events like health fairs, farmers markets, or public events. These can be hotspots for fraud.
- Report anything suspicious, even if you’re not sure it’s fraud.
Stay Alert. Speak Up. Help Stop Fraud.
Prescription drug fraud can be very profitable for criminals. The fraud puts your health at risk and costs Medicare billions of dollars each year. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. Report your concerns to the Missouri SMP. You are helping to protect yourself and others, while keeping Medicare strong for everyone.
The Missouri SMP is here to provide you with information you need to protect, detect, and report potential Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse. If you think you or a loved one has been a target of a Medicare scam, call the Missouri SMP at 888-515-6565.
This project was supported, in part, by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $638,014 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government
Comments 17
Linda. Crawfofd
This is very good information to know. Thank you
Ella Smith
every thing i read was very interestig
redie
so glad you share this data
Janet Ward
Thank you for providing this information.
Daphne Phillips
Medicare and Medicaid are top in prescription ripoffs. Please note, you can report, but results aren’t immediate. Review your bills, insurance and like it states, protect yourself. If unsure, it doesn’t hurt to ask for assistance from a trusted person :).
Kathleen Collins
Thank you
F.Foxx
thanks for the info
Donna W
Thank you. Very useful information.
Carlyn Webber
Excellent information! I saveed the number to my contacts.
william henderson
very informative for us
Brenda Morgan
Very good information.
Brenda Williams
Thank you for sharing. Navigating healthcare is not for the weak.
Robert England
Great info.
Juanita Church
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matias rodriguez
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richard head
big deal
Clifton Becton
Interesting information really increases awareness !