How to Avoid Medical Identity Theft

August 28, 2018

It Can Disrupt Your Medical Care and Waste Tax Payer Dollars

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Dear PSA Director,

Medical identity theft is when someone steals or uses your personal information (like your name, Social Security number, or Medicare number) to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare.  It can disrupt your medical care and waste tax payer dollars and in extreme circumstances, it could be life-threatening if the wrong information ends up in your medical record.

If you spot unusual or questionable charges, contact your health care provider. It may just be a mistake.

If your complaint is not resolved by your provider, report the questionable charges to Medicare or contact your local Senior Medicare Patrol for assistance at 1-877-808-2468 or online at  SMPResource.org.

If you suspect Medicare fraud, contact the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General at 1-800-447-8477 (1-800-HHS-TIPS) or online at oig.hhs.gov/fraud/hotline.

Please help protect your listener’s personal information by placing this PSA in heavy rotation between late August to Wednesday, October 31, 2018.

Thank you in advance for your support.

The Department of Health & Human Services.

:30 PSA SCRIPT

I GOT A CALL ONE EVENING, A MAN TOLD ME I WAS APPROVED FOR A BACK BRACE THROUGH MEDICARE. I GAVE HIM MY MEDICARE NUMBER AND MY DEBIT CARD NUMBER. SCAMS LIKE THIS HAPPEN EVERY DAY, BUT YOU CAN STOP THESE CRIMINALS. DON’T RESPOND TO UNSOLICITED REQUESTS FOR YOUR MEDICARE NUMBER OR OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION.  REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ONLINE AT O-I-G DOT H-H-S DOT GOV OR CALL 1-800-H-H-S-TIPS.

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