Part of the goal of the Affordable Health Care Act (ACA) is to stop fraud and abuse of the Medicare System. The website www.stopmedicarefraud.gov was designed as a resource for Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and families to learn about Medicare fraud and abuse and how to report it.

Below I have included some tips on how to identify Medicare fraud and abuse.
Be suspicious of doctors, health care providers or suppliers that do anything on this list.

• Equipment or service is offered for free and you are then asked for your Medicare number for "record keeping purposes"
• 'Medicare' wants you to have the item or service in exchange for your Medicare number
• Tell you to use Medicare to pay for the item or service and all that is needed is your Medicare number
• You are told the more tests provided, the cheaper the tests become in the future
• Don't charge co-payments without checking on your ability to pay
• Advertise "free" consultations to people with Medicare
• Call or visit you and say they represent Medicare or the Federal Government
• Use telephone or door-to-door selling techniques
• Use pressure or scare tactics to sell you expensive medical services you do not have
• Bill Medicare for services you never received or a diagnosis you do not have
• Offer non-medical transportation or housekeeping as Medicare-approved services
• Bill home health services for patients who are not confined to their home, or for patients who still drive a car
• Bill Medicare for equipment for people in nursing homes
• Bill Medicare for tests you received as a hospital in-patient or within 72 hours of admission or discharge
• Bill Medicare for a power wheelchair or scooter when you don't meet Medicare's qualifications

If you think you have been a victim of Medicare Fraud or Abuse then you should contact the Kansas SMP Program at 1-800-432-3535.