Category: Senior Medicare Patrol

Beware of unsolicited ‘free’ over-the-counter COVID testsThe Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) wants you to know that over-the-counter COVID-19 tests are not covered automatically by Medicare anymore. Under the recently-expired public health emergency, beneficiaries were able get over-the-counter tests with no out-of-pocket costs. Not anymore! That public health emergency ended May 11. You can still…

Will “unwinding” the COVID-19 State of Emergency impact Medicaid beneficiaries? Medicaid is a government-run health insurance program for low-income individuals and families of all ages. During the COVID-19 State of Emergency, Medicaid recipients could not lose coverage due to the continuous Medicaid enrollment provision. After a three-year pause, state employees are now checking the eligibility…

Guard your Medicare number like a credit card Your Medicare number is sensitive information and just as valuable as a bank account number. Scam artists try to use your Medicare number for fraudulent billing! The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) strongly advises that you be smart about sharing your Medicare number. Don’t share your number…

Protect Yourself from Medical Identity Fraud Medicare has strict payment limits on tests, services, and items such as wheelchairs. When a scammer usesyour name and Medicare number to bill insurance, it becomes part of your medical records. If yourmedical identity is compromised, you run the risk of being denied essential services and items. Don’tlet scammers…

Focus on Cardiovascular Genetic Test Scams February 2023Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is celebrating the annual American Heart Month! February is always a great time of year to learn more about ways to keep your “ticker” healthy with healthy meals, exercise, and social interactions. You might even choose to have a conversation with your doctor…

Three Medicare Scams to Watch For in 2023 Sadly, Medicare scams by phone happen every day. Remember that Medicare will never “cold call” youand ask for your personal information. When in doubt, hang up and call Medicare at (800) 633-4227. 1.) Watch out for Medicare card scams.New plastic Medicare cards are not being issued. This…

If you are considering a donation to a charity, the Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) warns you to be wary. Charities use the phone, face-to-face contact, email, and the Internet. So do the scammers. Scammers can change caller ID to make a call look like it’s from a local area code. Some scammers use names…

The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol wants to share this information from the Social SecurityAdministration (SSA): If you receive an unexpected offer from the SSA, do NOT click on a link or respond.It’s a scam. Instead, report suspected scams to oig.ssa.gov. The SSA recently issued a fraud alert about such offers.Criminals will impersonate SSA and other…

Play our online escape room and learn about potential Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse situations and how to avoid them. Are you smarter than a… SCAM ARTIST? Play our online game to find out and arm yourself against common scam tactics. You Can Stop Medicare, Errors, Fraud and Abuse PROTECT your medicare number DETECT…

October 15 starts Medicare Open Enrollment; Shop WiselyOctober 15 marks the beginning of the 2022 Medicare Open Enrollment period for Advantage plans and Part D drug plans. The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) wants to remind older adults to be smart consumers as they consider the plethora of advertising aimed at them through TV, Internet,…