Medicare issues new numbers, cards to prevent fraud

From Montana Senior Medicare Patrol

As the result of recent fraud takedowns, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services identified a group of beneficiaries whose Medicare numbers were being fraudulently used to bill Medicare for unnecessary medical equipment and services. This was not due to a breach of personal information. To protect them from continued Medicare fraud, CMS gave them new Medicare numbers.

New cards with new numbers for affected beneficiaries will arrive with an accompanying letter that explains the situation and further actions to take.

The majority of beneficiaries should have received their new cards by the end of last week. This should not impact their access to care or ability to enroll in Medicare plans during Open Enrollment. People who have concerns or experience a problem should call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance.

When people with Medicare receive their new card in the mail, it is important that they:

• Securely destroy their old card with the compromised Medicare number.

• Share their new Medicare number with their health care providers.

• Start using their new Medicare card right away.

• Protect their Medicare number just like a credit card.

If people think they’ve been a victim of Medicare fraud, call Montana Senior Medicare Patrol at 406-728-0581

——

Information provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.