Telehealth: A Helpful Service—But Watch Out for Scams
Telehealth makes it easier to see your doctor from home using a phone or video visit. It is a safe and convenient option when you are working with a provider you know and trust.
Unfortunately, scammers are using telehealth to steal Medicare information and bill for services or medical equipment you don’t need. It is a red flag if someone you don’t know calls and offers “free” medical equipment, genetic testing, braces, or other health supplies or services. They may ask for your Medicare number or pressure you to agree to a telehealth visit you didn’t request.
To protect yourself:
- Only schedule telehealth visits with providers you know and trust.
- Never give your Medicare number to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
- If you’re unsure whether a call is legitimate, hang up and call your provider using a phone number you know is correct.
- Review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to make sure you were only billed for services you received.
Telehealth is a valuable benefit. By staying alert you can help protect your Medicare benefits from fraud and ensure you receive quality healthcare.
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