Medicare fraud and abuse can happen anywhere, and usually results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone. Some examples include:
– A provider that bills Medicare for services or supplies they never gave you, like charging you for a visit you never had, or a back brace you never got.
– A provider that charges Medicare twice for a service or item that you only got once.
– A person who steals your Medicare number or card and uses it to submit fraudulent claims in your name.
– A company that offers you a Medicare drug plan that Medicare hasn’t approved.
How to spot & prevent Medicare fraud & abuse
If you think you’ve spotted fraud, you may want to call your provider’s office to ask about it. They may be able to help you understand the charges, or figure out if they made a billing error.
If you suspect that Medicare is being charged for an item or service you didn’t get, or your Medicare card or number is stolen, call 800-MEDICARE to report suspected fraud or abuse.