WOODBRIDGE, NJ (GovWire) - At the Senior Services Medicare Conference held on November 3, 2023, Charles Clarkson, the project director of the senior Medicare patrol of New Jersey, spoke about the growing issue of Medicare fraud and how it is taking money out of the pockets of seniors.
Clarkson stated that Medicare loses between 60 to 80 billion dollars a year due to fraud, waste, and abuse. He emphasized the importance of seniors protecting themselves from Medicare fraud by reading their statements carefully and keeping track of their medical visits and treatments.
Clarkson also warned seniors about the most common types of Medicare fraud, including billing for services never provided, upcoding, and double billing. He urged seniors to report any suspicious activity to the senior Medicare patrol program, which is federally funded and free to use.
Clarkson also spoke about the various scams that seniors should be aware of, including COVID-19 home test kits, genetic tests, and durable medical equipment. He advised seniors not to carry their Medicare card with them and to be cautious when answering phone calls from unknown numbers.
The conference also featured other speakers, including Mary McGarry, the director of the state Health Insurance assistance program, and Dr. Dara Kass, the regional director for Region 2 from the United States Department of Health and Human Services. They spoke about the importance of enrolling in a Medicare drug plan, comparing plans every year, and checking if their drug plan has a preferred pharmacy.
The conference provided valuable information to seniors about how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud and make informed decisions about their healthcare. As Clarkson stated, "We are here to help you navigate the maze that is Medicare and give you all the tools and knowledge to make the best decision possible for yourself."
This article generated by GovWire AI.
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