--- title: Avoiding Medicare Fraud description: Avoid Medicare fraud with these helpful tips. image: https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Elder%20man%20talking%20on%20his%20mobile%20phone.jpeg --- [![Together Patient Advocates](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/Together%20Patient%20Advocates-100x100.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=Together%20Patient%20Advocates-100x100.jpg "Together Patient Advocates")](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/) [![Contact Me](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2241950/f0ceed56-8ce7-4edf-b542-140a386d232a.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2241950/f0ceed56-8ce7-4edf-b542-140a386d232a) # Together Patient Advocates Blog ## [Avoiding Medicare Fraud](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/avoiding-medicare-fraud) [fa icon="calendar"] Jun 11, 2018 7:48:21 AM / by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) ![Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_2027.jpg?width=35&name=IMG_2027.jpg) ![Elder man talking on his mobile phone](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/Elder%20man%20talking%20on%20his%20mobile%20phone.jpeg?width=1000&name=Elder%20man%20talking%20on%20his%20mobile%20phone.jpeg)I received a friendly call the other day from" Medicare" offering me a FREE back brace. Never mind that I don't need a back brace; it's FREE through Medicare! I politely told the caller that this was Medicare fraud and requested that my number be removed from the list. For some reason, he hung up on me!  These scams are common. A company offers durable medical equipment (Jazzy Scooter, anyone?) and claims it will be covered by Medicare. Not so fast. Generally, Medicare requires a face-to-face appointment with your doctor and a prescription to cover durable medical equipment. It must be necessary and meet Medicare guidelines. (Scooters are notoriously difficult to get covered.) These companies make millions yearly selling durable medical equipment that you may not qualify for.  If Medicare denies the claim, you're left footing the bill. Currently, Medicare fraud accounts for roughly 20% of Medicare expenditures - reducing this cost is essential to ensuring the US Government continues to have money to fund Medicare.  How can you prevent fraud? **1) Don't fall for advertisements claiming free equipment through Medicare.** Talk first with your doctor about anything you think you need. Verify it's covered before ordering it. **2) Never accept phone calls from someone claiming to be with Medicare.** Medicare always communicates via US mail. With the new Medicare ID numbers/cards arriving, there is a host of new phone scams. These scams include calls stating you must purchase Part D now (Part D or prescription coverage is never required, though it is recommended. Purchase directly yourself, or use a verified Medicare broker). Other calls request your Medicare number to "enroll" you in a program or to cover a claim, and requests for your number and bank account in order to deposit your refund! Medicare doesn't operate this way. These are scams to illegally access your bank account. Don't fall for these calls.  **3) Check your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) when these arrive.** Verify you actually received the claimed service. Some fraudsters "upcharge" for services received so that they can receive the higher payments. Some simply file claims for services you haven't received. **4) If you feel you have encountered Medicare fraud, file a report [here](https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/report-fraud-and-abuse/report-fraud/reporting-fraud.html).** In addition to saving the government thousands, you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward! Topics: [Medicare](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medicare) ![Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_2027.jpg?width=100&height=100&name=IMG_2027.jpg) #### Written by [Kim Mcilnay, BCPA](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/author/kim-mcilnay-bcpa) I am the founder of Together Patient Advocates, LLC. I combine my past experiences as a Family Physician with my current experiences as a patient with chronic illness to provide insights into medical care patient advocacy. ### Subscribe to Email Updates - Recent - Popular - Categories ### Lists by Topic - [Coronavirus (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/coronavirus) - [self-advocacy (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/self-advocacy) - [COVID-19 (14)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Insurance (7)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Medicare (6)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medicare) - [New Diagnosis (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis) - [elderly illness (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/elderly-illness) - [patient advocate (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/patient-advocate) - [preparing for your doctor's appointment (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-doctors-appointment) - [ER (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/er) - [Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/nursing-home-skilled-nursing-facility) - [medi-cal (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medi-cal) - [Hospice (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospice) - [Hospital (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospital) - [Planning (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/planning) - [Dementia (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/dementia) - [Palliative Care (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/palliative-care) - [advance directive (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/advance-directive) - [confusion (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/confusion) - [open enrollment (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-enrollment) - [prevention (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prevention) - [technology (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/technology) - [Anxiety (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/anxiety) - [Asthma (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/asthma) - [Cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/cancer) - [Clinical Notes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/clinical-notes) - [Congenital Heart Defects (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/congenital-heart-defects) - [Diabetes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/health) - [Heart Failure (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/heart-failure) - [Informed Decisions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/informed-decisions) - [LGBTQ+ Advocacy (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/lgbtq-advocacy) - [Multiple Sclerosis (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/multiple-sclerosis) - [Obamacare (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/obamacare) - [Online medical research (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/online-medical-research) - [Open Access (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-access) - [Preventive Health Care (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preventive-health-care) - [Recovery (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/recovery) - [Sacramento MS Resources (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/sacramento-ms-resources) - [UTI (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/uti) - [Urinary tract infection in elderly (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/urinary-tract-infection-in-elderly) - [colon cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/colon-cancer) - [flu (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/flu) - [influenza (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/influenza) - [mental health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/mental-health) - [prescriptions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prescriptions) - [stress (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/stress) - [vaccination (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/vaccination) - [young adults (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/young-adults) [see all](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/avoiding-medicare-fraud#) ### Posts by Topic - [Coronavirus (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/coronavirus) - [self-advocacy (15)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/self-advocacy) - [COVID-19 (14)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Insurance (7)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Medicare (6)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medicare) - [New Diagnosis (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/new-diagnosis) - [elderly illness (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/elderly-illness) - [patient advocate (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/patient-advocate) - [preparing for your doctor's appointment (5)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preparing-for-your-doctors-appointment) - [ER (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/er) - [Nursing Home/Skilled Nursing Facility (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/nursing-home-skilled-nursing-facility) - [medi-cal (4)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/medi-cal) - [Hospice (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospice) - [Hospital (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/hospital) - [Planning (3)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/planning) - [Dementia (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/dementia) - [Palliative Care (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/palliative-care) - [advance directive (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/advance-directive) - [confusion (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/confusion) - [open enrollment (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-enrollment) - [prevention (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prevention) - [technology (2)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/technology) - [Anxiety (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/anxiety) - [Asthma (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/asthma) - [Cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/cancer) - [Clinical Notes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/clinical-notes) - [Congenital Heart Defects (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/congenital-heart-defects) - [Diabetes (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/diabetes) - [Health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/health) - [Heart Failure (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/heart-failure) - [Informed Decisions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/informed-decisions) - [LGBTQ+ Advocacy (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/lgbtq-advocacy) - [Multiple Sclerosis (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/multiple-sclerosis) - [Obamacare (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/obamacare) - [Online medical research (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/online-medical-research) - [Open Access (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/open-access) - [Preventive Health Care (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/preventive-health-care) - [Recovery (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/recovery) - [Sacramento MS Resources (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/sacramento-ms-resources) - [UTI (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/uti) - [Urinary tract infection in elderly (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/urinary-tract-infection-in-elderly) - [colon cancer (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/colon-cancer) - [flu (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/flu) - [influenza (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/influenza) - [mental health (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/mental-health) - [prescriptions (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/prescriptions) - [stress (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/stress) - [vaccination (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/vaccination) - [young adults (1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/topic/young-adults) [see all](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/avoiding-medicare-fraud#) ### Recent Posts #### About Me My clinical experience as a family physician combined with my personal experience as a patient with chronic illness makes me an exceptional choice to be your patient advocate.  [Learn More [fa icon="long-arrow-right"]](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/about-us) [[fa icon="facebook-square"]Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Together-Patient-Advocates-1203451539747384/) [[fa icon="linkedin-square"]LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-mcilnay-6abb87132) [![NAHAC-Member-Badge200x112+(1)](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NAHAC-Member-Badge200x112+(1).gif?width=200&name=NAHAC-Member-Badge200x112+(1).gif)](https://www.nahac.com/#!event-list)[![bahca_logo](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/bahca_logo.png?width=142&name=bahca_logo.png)](https://bayareahealthcareadvocates.org/) [![GNA_2020_Member_Badge](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GNA_2020_Member_Badge.png?width=266&name=GNA_2020_Member_Badge.png)](https://www.gnanow.org/)     [![PACB-wide-logo-300dpi](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PACB-wide-logo-300dpi.png?width=5026&name=PACB-wide-logo-300dpi.png "PACB-wide-logo-300dpi")](https://pacboard.org/bcpa-what-does-bcpa-mean/) Copyright 2026 | Designed with [fa icon="heart"] by [HubSpot](https://www.hubspot.com) [[fa icon="chevron-up"]Back to top](https://www.togetherpatientadvocates.com/blog/avoiding-medicare-fraud#)