|
Medicare scam preys on seniors in pain
The Better Business Bureau is warning people about a Medicare scam targeting seniors with arthritis. According to the Texas SMP, a program of the BBB Education Foundation of Houston, the pitch goes like this: “Do you or someone you know suffer from arthritis, diabetes, poor circulation, back aches, swelling, muscle soreness, inflammation in the hands or ankles? If so, help is on the way! You can qualify for the new Medicare Approved Arthritis kit! And the best part, it’s free if you have Medicare Part A and B.” This sounds great. Probably just about every older adult on Medicare could say they suffer from any one of the ailments mentioned above. In fact, probably the rest of us have the same problems as well. But what is the real truth behind this most recent scam designed to steal your Medicare healthcare dollars? The same team that brought you the scooter scam that defrauded Medicare of more than $31 million is now back with a new scam telling Medicare beneficiaries they qualify for the Medicare Arthritis Kit that will relieve your pain and suffering. Be aware: there is no such item called a Medicare Approved Arthritis Kit. How does this scam work? The fraud artists charge Medicare for items such as a back brace, knee brace (one for each knee), wrist brace (one for each wrist), elbow brace (one for each elbow), ankle brace (one for each ankle), then they throw in a heating pad and heat lamp. Total cost to Medicare is over $1,000. The value of the items you receive: probably less than $100. They rip off your healthcare dollars and do not even provide you the items they get paid for. Besides, if you really used all the equipment, you would look pretty much like an extra in “The Mummy.” It is important that you get the healthcare and the healthcare items you need, but it is also important that you do not let people take advantage of you and steal healthcare dollars from you and future generations. If anyone approaches you and offers equipment or care for free, call the Texas SMP at (713) 341-6184 or 1-888-341-6187. The Texas SMP works to empower seniors to prevent healthcare fraud by providing education about Medicare fraud, errors and abuse.
|
