Times are tough. Everyone is feeling the pinch of a bad economy. Unfortunately financial pressures lead some people to do the wrong thing. Now, more than ever, healthcare providers are being caught billing Medicare for services never performed or received.
Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government for people 65 or older and people under 65 with certain disabilities. Because people on Medicare are usually on a fixed income or dealing with complicated health issues they are vulnerable to misrepresentation and fraud.
Medicare fraud is simply billing for medical procedures or supplies that were never performed or received. Medicare fraud costs U.S. taxpayers a lot of money each year. We all pay for fraud with higher health care costs and higher taxes. People who receive Medicare can help.
People who are on Medicare receive a statement that shows what you were charged for health care services, medical supplies, or equipment. Reviewing this statement and reporting inaccuracies will help control Medicare’s loss from fraudulent claims.
It’s up to the American people to help control Medicare fraud.