Blue Shield of California Warns Consumers About Medicare Fraud and Scams<\/h1>\n
PR Newswire<\/p>\n
OAKLAND, Calif., June 1, 2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Nonprofit health plan urges vigilance against suspicious charges, medical supplies, and services not received<\/i><\/p>\n
OAKLAND, Calif.<\/span>, June 1, 2026<\/span> \/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE\/ — In observance of Medicare Fraud Prevention Week<\/a>, Blue Shield of California is highlighting its commitment to safeguarding Medicare beneficiaries against scams and fraudulent activities. With healthcare fraud continuing to rise across the country, affecting both patients and taxpayers, protecting older adults has never been more critical.<\/p>\n In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice executed the largest healthcare fraud takedown in history,<\/a>\u00a0charging 324 individuals \u2014 including 96 medical professionals \u2014 in schemes involving more than $14.6 billion in alleged false claims, including fraudulent telemedicine and identity theft.<\/p>\n “Medicare fraud and scams are becoming more sophisticated with the use of advanced technology,” said Alex Uhm, Medicare vice president and general manager at Blue Shield of California. “We’re focused on protecting our members and equipping them to recognize and report suspicious activity.”<\/p>\n Blue Shield’s offers updated education on common fraud schemes and preventive measures, and an online portal<\/a> for members to report suspected fraud.<\/p>\n Additionally, Blue Shield’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is dedicated to detecting healthcare fraud and flagging suspicious activity. This highly specialized team brings together coders, fraud examiners, and auditing experts who use data analytics to identify billing patterns that don’t align with patient needs. This proactive approach helps keep members safe and ensures fraud is addressed quickly.<\/p>\n Blue Shield’s Special Investigations Unit teams tackle fraud across all areas, but common scams targeting older adults include:<\/p>\n Blue Shield encourages its members to:<\/p>\n Medicare beneficiaries who suspect fraud or scams are also encouraged to take these actions:<\/p>\n For more tips on how to stay safe from healthcare fraud, visit: About Blue Shield of California For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit\u00a0news.blueshieldca.com<\/a>.\u00a0Or follow us on\u00a0LinkedIn<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Facebook<\/a>.<\/p>\n CONTACT: <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Elaine Morelos<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Blue Shield of California <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n 510-607-2359<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n media@blueshieldca.com<\/a> <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/mma.prnewswire.com\/media\/810201\/blue_jpg_Logo.jpg\" "\\"Blue"){kind=logo}
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https:\/\/www.blueshieldca.com\/en\/home\/about-blue-shield\/preventing-fraud<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n
<\/b>Blue Shield of California 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 6,500 employees and more than $28 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities.<\/p>\n\n
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