Avoid Medicare Fraud & Scams

Dr. Sherry McCoy PhD

is a freelance writer & actor for the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program (SSSAP) in Los Angeles.  Follow SSSAP on Facebook .  For more info re: SSSAP, contact Adrienne Omansky at SSSAP4U@gmail.com.  Questions for the writer should be directed to “Dear Sherry” at Not Born Yesterday! P.O. Box 722, Brea, CA 92822 or nbynews@juno.com.

“Avoid Medicare Fraud & Scams”

Dr. Sherry McCoy, PhD – Stop Senior Scams ℠Acting Program

It’s hard to believe, but November has arrived. (Hint: That means 2018 is almost over!) If you’re like me, there’s probably a lot to do between now and the beginning of 2019.  First off, please don’t forget to VOTE on November 6!  Thatis really important.  And secondly — but equally as important — please take some time to make an informed, reasonable decision about your Medicare Health Plan coverage for 2019. Every year, Medicare offers beneficiaries an opportunity to make changes in coverage for the coming year.  This period is called Open Enrollment and runs from October 15 to December 7.  During Open Enrollment, you can compare plans and determine if you’d like to make a change to a different plan.  Comparing plans can be a daunting process, and a bit confusing and overwhelming. But fortunately, there’s HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) to help with the decision making process.  You can call HICAP at 1-800-434-0222 for free and unbiased Medicare counseling.  And there’s more good news — If you are satisfied with your current plan, there is no need to change anything!¹

It’s important to know that Medicare plans must follow certain guidelines / rules when marketing their health care plans. Here’s what they CANNOT do.¹

  • Visit your home without an invitation from you.
  • Harass you on the telephone.
  • Offer you special deals, like cash or groceries, if you join their health plan.
  • Sell you non-health related products such as a life insurance policy or an annuity.
  • Pressure you to join their particular health care plan, e.g., saying things like –“You have to join this plan or you won’t have coverage next year.”
  • Sign a health plan enrollment form for you.

If you do decide to switch Medicare health plans, MAKE SURE that.¹

  • The doctors you wish to continue to see will accept the new plan; and
  • The medications you’ve been prescribed are included in the formulary of the new plan.

And one more thing – NEVER give your Medicare Number to anyone you don’t know or don’t trust.  Guard your Medicare Card and Number as if it were Gold!  To report Medicare fraud or marketing violations, contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.  Contact the FTC at 877-382-4357 or https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1for other types of fraud.  PASS IT ON!

Together we can stand strong against senior fraud!

Remember:  You may be a target, but you don’t have to be a victim!

¹ Flyer from California Senior Medicare Patrol, www.cahealthadvocates.org, “A Story About Betty & the Medicare Health Plan, Making the Right Choice.”

Dr. Sherry McCoy, PhD, is a freelance writer & actor for the Stop Senior Scams ℠Acting Program (SSSAP) in Los Angeles. Save the Dates – SSSAP performs (free): Nov. 1, 10am – 2pm, 4thAnnual Senior Citizens Community Resource Fair, Friendship Auditorium, 3201 Riverside Dr., LA, CA 90027; Nov. 28, 1:30 – 2:30pm, LA Oasis, Wise and Healthy Aging, 1527 4thStreet, 2ndfloor, Santa Monica, CA 90401; and Dec. 1, 1 – 2pm, John C. Fremont Library, 6121 Melrose Ave., LA, CA 90038  We are looking for seniors to participate in our SSSAP volunteer touring company, which was recently recognized by the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging.  For more information, please contact Adrienne Omansky at SSSAP4U@gmail.com.  Follow SSSAP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SSSAP2016/?fref=ts.  Questions for the writer should be directed to “Dear Sherry” at Not Born Yesterday! P.O. Box 722, Brea, CA 92822 or nbynews@juno.com.

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