{"id":266503,"date":"2024-06-03T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/english-blue-shield-of-california-warns-consumers-about-medicare-scams-and-fraudsters\/"},"modified":"2024-06-03T11:20:02","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T15:20:02","slug":"blue-shield-of-california-advierte-a-los-consumidores-sobre-las-estafas-y-los-fraudes-con-medicare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/blue-shield-of-california-advierte-a-los-consumidores-sobre-las-estafas-y-los-fraudes-con-medicare\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Shield of California Warns Consumers About Medicare Scams and Fraudsters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\"><![CDATA[\n\/* Style Definitions *\/\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n.prntac{\nTEXT-ALIGN: CENTER\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p class=\"prntac\"><i>Nonprofit health plan highlights safety tips, action steps on Medicare Fraud Prevention Week <\/i><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">OAKLAND, Calif.<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">June 3, 2024<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; It&#8217;s important to be on the lookout for scams every day of the year, but during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week <span class=\"xn-chron\">June 3-9<\/span>, Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> warns its Medicare beneficiaries about scammers who want their personal, financial, and health plan information.<\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg4846left\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg4846left\" title=\"Seniors are increasingly targeted by fraudulent scams\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2427556\/Seniors_are_increasingly_targeted.jpg\" alt=\"Seniors are increasingly targeted by fraudulent scams\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Healthcare fraud in the\u00a0U.S. is an enormous, expensive problem \u2014 costing up to <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=1882583704&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhcaa.org%2Ftools-insights%2Fabout-health-care-fraud%2Fthe-challenge-of-health-care-fraud%2F%23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DA%2520conservative%2520estimate%2520is%25203%2Cmean%2520more%2520than%2520%2524300%2520billion.&amp;a=%24300+billion\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"xn-money\">$300 billion<\/span><\/a>, according to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association. Additionally, the <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=3459245510&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fbi.gov%2Fcontact-us%2Ffield-offices%2Flosangeles%2Fnews%2Ffbi-releases-2023-elder-fraud-report-with-tech-support-scams-generating-the-most-complaints-and-investment-scams-proving-the-costliest%23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DCalifornia%2520led%2520the%2520nation%2520with%2Creported%2520losses%2520topping%2520%2524620%2520million.&amp;a=FBI%27s+Internet+Crime+Complaint+Center\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">FBI&#8217;s Internet Crime Complaint Center<\/a> reported that in 2023, almost half of the victims of call center schemes were over 60 years old. These scams target older adults, who accounted for 40% of complainants and 58% of losses, or nearly <span class=\"xn-money\">$770 million<\/span>. Older adults lost more money to these scams than all other age groups combined.<\/p>\n<p>To reduce instances of phone scams for Medicare recipients,\u00a0Blue Shield recommends that seniors avoid sharing personal information in situations like these example scenarios:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>An imposter pretends to be a health plan employee gathering personal information to send you a fake gift card.<\/li>\n<li>A person\u00a0phishing for your information calls to say that your Medicare benefits are expiring, and you need to confirm your account ID number for a new card.<\/li>\n<li>You receive medical equipment, such as catheters, that you did not order.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8220;Elder health care fraud continues to plague our community, with far-reaching effects on the cost and quality of health care provided to patients,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-person\">Alex Uhm<\/span>, Medicare vice president and general manager at Blue Shield. We have a strong focus on protecting Medicare beneficiaries, who can be a vulnerable target for phone or other types of fraud.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=4154198871&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcc.gov%2Folder-americans-and-medicare-scams&amp;a=Federal+Communications+Commission\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Federal Communications Commission<\/a> recommends Medicare beneficiaries protect themselves by following these practices:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Never give your Medicare card, Medicare number, Social Security card, or Social Security number to anyone except those authorized to have them, such as your medical professional&#8217;s office or insurers acting on your behalf such as your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Don&#8217;t accept offers of money or gifts for free medical care.<\/li>\n<li>Don&#8217;t allow anyone, except your doctor or other Medicare providers, to review your medical records or recommend services.<\/li>\n<li>Never join a Medicare health or drug plan over the phone unless you initiated the call to Medicare.<\/li>\n<li>If someone asks you for your information, for money or gift cards or threatens to cancel your health benefits if you don&#8217;t share your personal details, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=1941096032&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicare.gov%2F&amp;a=medicare.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">medicare.gov<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additionally, Uhm advises Medicare beneficiaries who suspect fraud or scams to take these actions:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li>Contact your trusted health plan, using the phone number on your health plan card.<\/li>\n<li>Report lost or stolen ID cards to your health plan and request a new card and ID number.<\/li>\n<li>Carefully review your Explanation of Benefits from your health plan for any services you do not recognize.<\/li>\n<li>When answering the phone, even if the number looks legitimate, do not confirm any personal information such as your Medicare number or Social Security number.<\/li>\n<li>Never loan your health plan card to anyone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more tips to stay safe from healthcare fraud, visit:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=3353867068&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blueshieldca.com%2Fen%2Fhome%2Fabout-blue-shield%2Fpreventing-fraud&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blueshieldca.com%2Fen%2Fhome%2Fabout-blue-shield%2Fpreventing-fraud\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"><i>https:\/\/www.blueshieldca.com\/en\/home\/about-blue-shield\/preventing-fraud<\/i><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><b>About Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span><\/b> <br \/>Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with more than 4.8 million members, over 7,100 employees and more than <span class=\"xn-money\">$25 billion<\/span> in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in <span class=\"xn-location\">San Francisco<\/span> and now headquartered in <span class=\"xn-location\">Oakland<\/span>, Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span>. The company has contributed more than <span class=\"xn-money\">$77 million<\/span> to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> communities.<\/p>\n<p>For more news about Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span>, please visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=641690123&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.blueshieldca.com%2F&amp;a=news.blueshieldca.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">news.blueshieldca.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Or follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=1868415553&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fblue-shield-of-california%2F&amp;a=LinkedIn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a> or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=218083473&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBlueShieldCA%2F&amp;a=Facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>CONTACT: Mashi Nyssen<br \/>Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> <br \/>510-607-2359<br \/><a href=\"mailto:media@blueshieldca.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">media@blueshieldca.com<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg4accleft\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg4accleft\" title=\"Blue Shield of California Logo\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/810201\/blue_jpg_Logo.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Shield of California Logo\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Photo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=3097060328&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2427556%2FSeniors_are_increasingly_targeted.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2427556%2FSeniors_are_increasingly_targeted.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2427556\/Seniors_are_increasingly_targeted.jpg<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Logo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4180541-1&amp;h=841174401&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F810201%2Fblue_jpg_Logo.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F810201%2Fblue_jpg_Logo.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/810201\/blue_jpg_Logo.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SOURCE  Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p class=\"prntac\"><i>Nonprofit health plan highlights safety tips, action steps on Medicare Fraud Prevention Week <\/i><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"xn-location\">OAKLAND, Calif.<\/span>, <span class=\"xn-chron\">June 3, 2024<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; It&#8217;s important to be on the lookout for scams every day of the year, but during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week <span class=\"xn-chron\">June 3-9<\/span>, Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> warns its Medicare beneficiaries about scammers who want their personal, financial, and health plan&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":266505,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-266503","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-salud"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266503","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=266503"}],"version-history":[{"count":"1","href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266503\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":266506,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266503\/revisions\/266506"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/266505"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=266503"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=266503"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=266503"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}