Be Careful of Medicare Look-Alike Mail
The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol wants to remind you to be careful when you receive mail that looks like it is from Medicare or the government. Some companies send official looking letters to get you interested in products or insurance they want to sell.
These mailings may include a postcard for you to fill out and return if you would like “more information.” You may receive another brochure, but returning the postcard gives the company permission to call you on the phone or visit your home to sell you something.
Remember these tips to protect yourself:
- Throw away or shred mail you don’t want.
- Never share your Medicare number or personal information over the phone or by returning a postcard.
- If you need medical supplies or equipment, talk with your doctor first. Your doctor will prescribe what you need.
- Be cautious of offers that sound too good to be true. They usually are.
It is a red flag if someone tries to sell you medical equipment or supplies that your doctor has not prescribed.
Taking a few extra minutes to check before you respond can help protect your Medicare benefits and your personal information. If you have questions or think you may have been targeted by a Medicare scam, contact the Missouri SMP for help.
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