Medicare & Telehealth: What You Need to Know and How to Stay Safe!
Telehealth (also called telemedicine or Teledoc) lets you have medical appointments and health services through live video and audio. It can be a safe, convenient way to get the care you need, from the convenience of your home. Unfortunately, some scammers are using telehealth to try to steal personal information or trick Medicare into paying for services you don’t need. Knowing the warning signs can help protect you and your benefits.
Watch Out for These Red Flags:
- Someone calls asking if you have pain or family medical history. They may be trying to send you medical supplies or a genetic test you don’t need.
- You get transferred to another person who says they can “get you approved”. They may be trying to get you to agree to something you don’t need or may not qualify for.
- You’re asked or pressured to agree to a test or procedure that would require an in person visit.
Family Members & Caregivers, Be on the Lookout For:
- Your loved one gets a call from a stranger asking for personal or information.
- They have a telehealth visit with a doctor they’ve never met.
- Their Medicare Summary Notice shows charges for services or doctors they don’t recognize.
Telehealth can be a convenient service for taking care of your medical needs virtually. By being proactive and knowing the warning signs to look for, you can feel confident that your Telehealth appointments are working for you. If you think something doesn’t feel right, report it to the Missouri SMP by calling 1-888-515-6565.
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 12
Janet E. Ward
Thank you for that value imformation.
matias rodriguez
they already got me no to long ago, maybe 3 years ago, i was so stupid i gave them to much information….
they charged me for products i did not order or receive in a time period
Kathleen Collins
Thank you
Brenda Morgan
Thank you the information was very helpful.
Daphne Phillips
September to the new year are those brokers, social security, scamers, insurance company call or mailing time. Beware to all. If possible, check out your library-GrandPad has listings, plus library programs, in person or virtual. I beleive the library probably checked theses agencies out.
Carlyn Webber
Thank you for the excellent information!
linda woods
very good and important information thanks so much!!!
redie
good sharingcaring info
jacqueline scott
thanks for the information. I have been seeing a lot of these sites on my feed.
wiliam henderson
good read
Donna W
Thank you for informing us.
bert cusumano
interesting information!