Anti-fraud efforts backed by AARP; Seniors cautioned about rebate cons

AARP on Tuesday "threw its influence" behind a number of plans to reduce Medicare fraud, including the bipartisan Medicare Fraud Enforcement and Prevention Act, which would increase penalties on nabbed fraudsters and supply more claims data to enforcers, The Hill reports. Separate legislation, "the Fighting Fraud with Innovative Technology Act, would bolster Medicare's claims screening process before payments are sent out" (Lillis, 7/27).

American Medical News: An existing anti-fraud effort announced record arrests earlier this month. "Strike force teams committed to weeding out Medicare fraud announced July 16 that they were indicting more than 90 people for their alleged participation in schemes to submit more than $251 million collectively in false Medicare claims. The operation represents the largest federal takedown since Medicare fraud strike force operations began in 2007, federal officials said in a statement" (Silva, 7/27).

The Associated Press/Bloomberg Businessweek: Meanwhile, "[a]dvocates for senior citizens are reminding people on Medicare that they don't have to do anything to receive a $250 rebate check if they hit the gap in prescription drug coverage. The Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging says scammers in other states are asking seniors for personal information such as Social Security or Medicare numbers" (7/27).

McKnight's Long-Term Care News: "HHS will automatically mail the checks as soon as seniors become eligible." Seniors don't need to do anything and shouldn't get calls. "Seniors who receive calls asking for their Medicare numbers should take the person's name, write down the number he or she is calling from (using caller ID, if possible), and report the call to 1-800-MEDICARE" (7/27).