Last month, the Department of Justice announced that a Federal Grand Jury found a Chicago woman guilty of $7 million in Medicare fraud. The HHS Office of Inspector General with the help of the FBI and other federal agencies announced federal verdict of against individuals involved in this home health fraud scheme.

According to the evidence presented at her trial, the defendant conspired with the owners of a Chicago-based home health company, to submit claims to Medicare for false and unnecessary home health services to unqualified patients These false claims, around $7 million in total, were paid by Medicare between 2011 and 2017.Three other defendants have been charged in this scheme.

You can read the whole article and more details about this scam and verdict from the U.S. Department of Justice here.

Remember, Medicare will never call you, and you should only give your Medicare card number out to your doctors or providers. If you have received one of these phone calls and have given out any information, you can report this with the Illinois SMP at AgeOptions at (800)699-9043.

Complete the 2020 Census Online: Avoid Someone Knocking on Your Door

In the next week or so, you should get a letter in the mail from the Census Bureau. It will look like  this. If you’re comfortable, go online to complete the 2020 Census early. 

Here is why completing the 2020 Census is important:

The 2020 Census asks for your phone number in case there are questions about your responses. This means the Census Bureau may later call you to ensure they understand how you answered or to get a question you missed. They will not ask new questions, just clarify your response. Any caller from the Census Bureau must identify themselves and the purpose of their call. You can call (800)923-8282 to verify their identity. 

Have a wonderful week!

Travis Trumitch

travis.trumitch@ageoptions.org

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This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0036, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.

The Illinois SMP at AgeOptions partners with agencies across the state to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area and visit our website to sign up for our Fraud Alert email list.