Scammers Targeting Medicare Enrollees

(Cascade County Aging Services is in partnership with Missoula Aging Services)

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) warns Medicare enrollees of a rising scam targeting their sensitive information. Scammers are luring individuals with offers of free services, medical equipment, or gift cards in exchange for Medicare numbers, enabling fraudulent activities.

Renee Labrie-Shanks, Director of the Statewide Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Program at Missoula Aging Services (or MAS), urges vigilance, "If someone offers free medical equipment and asks for your Medicare number, it's a red flag. Hang up immediately." Your personal information, once compromised, can fuel other fraudulent schemes.

Protect yourself: scrutinize Medicare Summary Notices or Medicare Advantage Explanation of Benefits (or EOB’s) carefully. "You're the frontline defense against fraud," Labrie-Shanks emphasizes. "Medicare processes millions of claims daily, but only you can spot discrepancies."

Remember: never share your Medicare number unless with your provider's office. Unsolicited requests should raise suspicions. Your Medicare information is precious—guard it fiercely.

Stay alert, stay protected.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Pam Roatch

[email protected]

406-454-6990

About Cascade County Aging Services:

The primary focus of Cascade County Aging Services is to offer services to those 60 years of age and older which allows people to age in place, reduce isolation, age with dignity, and allows everyone to remain connected to the community.

About Missoula Aging Services:

Missoula Aging Services is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the independence, dignity, and health of older adults and those who care for them in Missoula County. For 40 years, Missoula Aging Services has empowered thousands of older adults, their families, and caregivers through programs, services, volunteer opportunities, and education to continue living independently at home for as long as possible.

Learn more at missoulaagingservices.org.

About Montana SMP:

Montana SMP is a program coordinated by Missoula Aging Services and partnered with local Area Agencies on Aging. This project was supported by grant #90MPPG0052 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington D.C., 20201. Points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent official ACL policy.

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) helps to educate Medicare beneficiaries about ways to prevent, detect, and combat Medicare fraud. For more information about Medicare fraud, visit the website at smpresource.org