{"id":271141,"date":"2025-06-02T11:05:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T15:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/english-blue-shield-of-california-helps-seniors-be-on-alert-for-medicare-scams\/"},"modified":"2025-06-02T11:20:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-02T15:20:02","slug":"blue-shield-of-california-advierte-a-los-adultos-mayores-sobre-las-estafas-con-medicare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/blue-shield-of-california-advierte-a-los-adultos-mayores-sobre-las-estafas-con-medicare\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Shield of California Helps Seniors Be on Alert for Medicare Scams"},"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.prngen2{\nPADDING-RIGHT:0.17em; PADDING-LEFT:0.17em; VERTICAL-ALIGN: BOTTOM; BORDER-TOP:black 1pt; BORDER-RIGHT:black 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM:black 1pt; BORDER-LEFT:black 1pt\n}\n.prnml4{\nMARGIN-TOP:0em; MARGIN-RIGHT:0em; MARGIN-BOTTOM:0em; MARGIN-LEFT:0.33em !IMPORTANT\n}\n.prnbcc{\nBORDER-COLLAPSE: COLLAPSE\n}\n.prntac{\nTEXT-ALIGN: CENTER\n}\n]]><\/style>\n<div class=\"xn-content\">\n<p class=\"prntac\"><i>Nonprofit health plan urges members and the public to protect themselves from fraud involving medical supplies, services not received, and suspicious charges<\/i><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-location\">OAKLAND, Calif.<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-chron\">June 2, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; In observance of <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4439464-1&amp;h=3196431708&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fsmpresource.org%2FMedicare-Fraud-Prevention-Week%2F&amp;a=Medicare+Fraud+Prevention+Week\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Medicare Fraud Prevention Week<\/a>, Blue Shield of <span class=\"xn-location\">California<\/span> is highlighting its commitment to\u00a0safeguarding Medicare beneficiaries against scams and fraudulent activities. With healthcare fraud continuing to rise across the country, protecting seniors has never been more critical.<\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpg4b19left\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpg4b19left\" title=\"Blue Shield of California Helps Seniors Be on Alert for Medicare Scams\" src=\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2700448\/Blue_Shield_of_California_Medicare_Fraud_Prevention_Week.jpg\" alt=\"Blue Shield of California Helps Seniors Be on Alert for Medicare Scams\" align=\"middle\"\/><\/div>\n<p>Highlighting the severity of Medicare fraud, the <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4439464-1&amp;h=1352483439&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justice.gov%2Farchives%2Fopa%2Fpr%2Fnational-health-care-fraud-enforcement-action-results-193-defendants-charged-and-over-275-0&amp;a=U.S.+Department+of+Justice+charged+193+individuals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals<\/a>, including 76 medical professionals, in a nationwide healthcare fraud enforcement action in 2024. The schemes involved over <span class=\"xn-money\">$2.75 billion<\/span> in alleged false claims, including fraudulent telemedicine and prescription drug schemes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Medicare fraud and scams continue to pose a serious threat to older adults,&#8221; said <span class=\"xn-person\">Alex Uhm<\/span>, vice president and general manager at Blue Shield. &#8220;We are committed to enhancing our preventive measures and providing our members with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Blue Shield&#8217;s efforts to protect its members include distributing updated member education materials that highlight common fraud schemes and preventive measures, and the introduction of an <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4439464-1&amp;h=3882894584&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blueshieldca.com%2Fmemberwebapp%2Ffraud-report&amp;a=online+portal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">online portal<\/a> for members to report suspected fraud.<\/p>\n<p>Blue Shield&#8217;s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is dedicated to detecting healthcare fraud and protecting our members by identifying suspicious activity and potential fraud. This proactive approach helps keep members safe and ensures fraud is addressed quickly.<\/p>\n<p>Blue Shield&#8217;s SIU team tackles fraud across all areas, but experts have identified several prevalent scams targeting seniors, including:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li><b>Unsolicited medical supplies: <\/b>Receiving items such as catheters, diabetic supplies or back braces that were neither ordered nor needed.<\/li>\n<li><b>Impersonation scams: <\/b>Fraudsters posing as health plan representatives to obtain personal information.<\/li>\n<li><b>Phantom billing:<\/b> Charges for services or tests that were never provided.<\/li>\n<li><b>Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven fraud: <\/b>Emerging tactics include the misuse of beneficiary information to bill for unrequested services, and the use of AI to impersonate members and providers, as well as fabricate medical records for billing purposes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Blue Shield encourages its members to:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li><b>Review statements: <\/b>Carefully examine Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements for any discrepancies.<\/li>\n<li><b>Protect personal information:<\/b> Avoid sharing personal details over the phone or online unless certain of the recipient&#8217;s identity.<\/li>\n<li><b>Report suspicious activity:<\/b> Immediately report any unfamiliar charges or services not received to the health plan&#8217;s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). If seniors or their caregivers suspect fraud, call Blue Shield&#8217;s Medicare fraud hotline at (855) 331-4894 (TTY:711) or email <a href=\"mailto:MedicareStopFraud@blueshieldca.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">MedicareStopFraud@blueshieldca.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Medicare beneficiaries who suspect fraud or scams are also encouraged to take these actions:<\/p>\n<ul type=\"disc\">\n<li><b>Contact your health plan: <\/b>Use the phone number on your health plan card to report any suspicious activity.<\/li>\n<li><b>Report lost or stolen ID cards<\/b>: Inform your health plan immediately if your ID card is lost or stolen, and request a new card and ID number.<\/li>\n<li><b>Review your statements<\/b>: Carefully examine your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for any services you do not recognize.<\/li>\n<li><b>Be cautious with phone calls<\/b>: Even if the caller ID looks legitimate, do not confirm any personal information such as your Medicare number or social security number over the phone.<\/li>\n<li><b>Protect your health plan card: <\/b>Never loan your health plan card to anyone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For more tips on how to stay safe from healthcare fraud, visit:<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4439464-1&amp;h=2380700876&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><br \/><\/b>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 nearly 6 million members, over 7,500 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\">$60 million<\/span> to 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=4439464-1&amp;h=1816004091&amp;u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.blueshieldca.com%2F&amp;a=news.blueshieldca.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">news.blueshieldca.com<\/a>.\u00a0Or follow us on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4439464-1&amp;h=626830769&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fcompany%2Fblue-shield-of-california%2F&amp;a=LinkedIn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4439464-1&amp;h=1191108449&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBlueShieldCA%2F&amp;a=Facebook\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"1\" class=\"prnbcc\">\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">\n<p class=\"prnml4\"><span class=\"prnews_span\">CONTACT: <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">\n<p class=\"prnml4\"><span class=\"prnews_span\"> Mashi Nyssen<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\"><\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">\n<p class=\"prnml4\"><span class=\"prnews_span\"> Blue Shield of California <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\"><\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">\n<p class=\"prnml4\"><span class=\"prnews_span\">510-607-2359<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\"><\/td>\n<td class=\"prngen2\" colspan=\"1\" rowspan=\"1\">\n<p class=\"prnml4\"><span class=\"prnews_span\"><a href=\"mailto:media@blueshieldca.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"prnews_a\" rel=\"nofollow\">media@blueshieldca.com<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<div id=\"prni_dvprnejpgc00fleft\" dir=\"ltr\" style=\"width: 100%; text-align: left;\"><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"prnejpgc00fleft\" 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=4439464-1&amp;h=1829251304&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2700448%2FBlue_Shield_of_California_Medicare_Fraud_Prevention_Week.jpg&amp;a=https%3A%2F%2Fmma.prnewswire.com%2Fmedia%2F2700448%2FBlue_Shield_of_California_Medicare_Fraud_Prevention_Week.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/2700448\/Blue_Shield_of_California_Medicare_Fraud_Prevention_Week.jpg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Logo &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/c212.net\/c\/link\/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4439464-1&amp;h=2015502961&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 urges members and the public to protect themselves from fraud involving medical supplies, services not received, and suspicious charges<\/i><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-location\">OAKLAND, Calif.<\/span><\/span>, <span class=\"legendSpanClass\"><span class=\"xn-chron\">June 2, 2025<\/span><\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ &#8212; In observance of &lt;a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":271142,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-271141","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\/271141","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=271141"}],"version-history":[{"count":"1","href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271141\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":271144,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/271141\/revisions\/271144"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/271142"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=271141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=271141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hispanicprwire.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=271141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}