New cards will no longer contain Social Security numbers, to combat fraud and illegal use The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is readying a fraud prevention initiative that removes Social Security numbers from Medicare cards to help combat identity theft, and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The new cards will use a unique, randomly-assigned number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier …
HHS OIG Hotline Scam – need to share & warn our partners asap
A telephone scam in which crooks alter caller ID to make it seem as if the call is coming from the HHS OIG Hotline 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) to get beneficiaries and members of the public to verify or share personal info which is used to victimize them via financial and other crimes – draining their bank accounts. OIG wants the public …
What to do if you’re wrongfully billed for Medicare costs
Know your rights as a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary. By Stacy Canan and Tim Engelhardt – JAN 18, 2017 If you’re among the 7 million Americans enrolled in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program , doctors, suppliers, and other providers aren’t allowed to bill you for Medicare costs when you receive covered medical services, equipment, and supplies. Your Medicare premiums, as …
21 Medicare Health Plans Warned To Fix Provider Directory Errors
By Phil Galewitz and Susan Jaffe January 18, 2017 Federal officials this month warned 21 Medicare Advantage insurers with high rates of errors in their online network directories that they could face heavy fines or have to stop enrolling people if the problems are not fixed by Feb. 6. Among the plans that were cited are Blue Cross Blue Shield …
Give Fraudsters the Old “One-Two”
Just hang up on phone solicitors offering free gifts in exchange for your Medicare card number or other health information. Read about more ways to beat the Medicare crooks in the link, below. Help fight Medicare fraud | Medicare.gov Learn about examples of Medicare fraud, like getting billed for services or equipment you never got. Learn More WWW.MEDICARE.GOV
CMS Awards Special Innovation Projects
CMS BLOG CMS Awards Special Innovation Projects to Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organizations Aimed to Drive Better Care, Smarter Spending, and Healthier People October 20, 2016 By: Patrick Conway, MD, MSc Acting Principal Deputy Administrator Deputy Administrator for Innovation and Quality CMS Chief Medical Officer Kate Goodrich, MD Director Center for Clinical Standards and Quality Dennis Wagner, MPA Director, Quality Improvement …
Fight Fraud by Guarding Your Medicare Number
Health care fraud drives up costs for everyone in the health care system. One way to protect against such fraud is to guard your Medicare number. Fraud schemes often depend on identity thieves getting hold of people’s Medicare numbers, so treat your number as you would a credit card. Follow these important steps to protect yourself from fraud: …
Guard Your Medicare Number
Fight health care fraud: guard your Medicare number! The next Medicare Open Enrollment season (October 15 to December 7) is almost here, which means fraudsters and identity thieves will increase their efforts to get and abuse Medicare numbers from people like you. Fortunately, there are many measures you can take to fight health care fraud: Guard your Medicare number. Protect …
“Plans for the Quality Payment Program in 2017: Pick Your Pace”
As the baby boom generation ages, 10,000 people enter the Medicare program each day. Facing that demand, it is essential that Medicare continues to support physicians in delivering high-quality patient care. This includes increasing its focus on patient outcomes and reducing the obstacles that make it harder for physicians to practice good care. The bipartisan Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization …
Competitive bidding program continues to maintain access and quality while helping to save Medicare millions
CMS News FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2016 Contact: CMS Media Relations (202) 690-6145 | CMS Media Inquiries Overview The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the new single payment amounts and began sending contract offers to successful bidders for Medicare’s Round 1 2017 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. These new …