Thank you to Bruce Ackermann of Ackermann Money Management for the following financial alert:
The 2015 Medicare open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. It’s the time when Medicare recipients can comparison shop and make changes to their plans. It’s also a time when scammers take advantage of older consumers with ruses like these:
- Someone calls and says you must join their prescription plan or you’ll lose your Medicare coverage. Don’t believe it. The Medicare prescription drug plan (also known as Medicare Part D) is voluntary and does not affect your Medicare coverage.
- Someone calls or emails claiming they need your Medicare number to update your account, get you a new card, or send you Medicare benefit information. It’s a scam. If you need help with Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE or go to medicare.gov.
- Someone claiming to be a Medicare plan representative says they need “to confirm” your billing information by phone or online. Stop. It’s a scam. Plan representatives are not allowed to ask you for payment over the phone or online.
- Dishonest companies may offer you free medical exams or supplies. Be wary. It may be a trick to get and misuse your personal information.Whenever someone asks for your bank account number or your Medicare number, stop. Only give personal or financial information when you have verified who you’re talking to. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to make sure you’re talking to a legitimate representative.
If you believe you or some you know is a victim of Medicare fraud, report it to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Call 1-800-447-8477 or visit stopmedicarefraud.gov.
If you gave out personal information, call your banks, credit card providers, health insurance company, and credit reporting companies immediately. The FTC’s website has more information on health care scams and medical identity theft.
Please feel free to share this information with those you love.
Bruce
Bruce A. Ackermann
[email protected]
Personal Financial Assistant for Seniors
Chartered Financial Analyst
Certified Professional Daily Money Manager
American Association of Daily Money Managers
Ackermann Money Management
AckermannMoney.com
865 Menlo Oaks Drive
Menlo Park CA 94025
Phone: 650.465.4408
Thank you Bruce for the information to help us all avoid fraud.
Elizabeth Landsverk, MD
Specialist in Geriatrics
Elizabeth (Dr Liz) has over twenty years of experience in providing medical care to the elders. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Palliative Care Medicine. Dr Landsverk founded ElderConsult Geriatric Medicine, a house calls practice, to address the challenging medical and behavioral issues often facing older patients and their families.