In a bid to safeguard the rights of seniors in New York State, the New York StateWide Senior Action Council (StateWide) has unmasked the latest scheme preying on unsuspecting individuals during Medicare’s annual enrollment period (AEP). Termed the “Medicare Fraud of the Month,” this revelation sheds light on Medicare Marketing Violations occurring from October 15 through December 7, 2023.
The StateWide Fraud of the Month initiative forms a crucial component of the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), an invaluable resource empowering New York State’s seniors and caregivers to identify, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. Serving as the state’s grantee/administrator for this Federal Program, StateWide remains at the forefront of advocacy for the elderly.
Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of StateWide, emphasized the significance of the AEP, a period when individuals can modify their Medicare and prescription drug selections. To aid seniors in making informed decisions, StateWide offers free and confidential services through their Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP) certified outreach counselors.
During the AEP, seniors are bombarded with advertisements from various insurance companies, presenting their plans for the upcoming year through television commercials, mail, online ads, and more. Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) and Part D are managed and marketed by private insurance companies. Agents and brokers are expected to adhere to strict regulations when engaging in marketing activities.
Some common marketing violations that seniors should be vigilant about during this open enrollment period include being approached in public areas, receiving unsolicited emails or calls even after opting out of communication, and attempts to collect personal information or sell plans at educational exhibits. StateWide advises seniors to report such violations promptly.
Seniors or their caregivers can report marketing violations by contacting the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, providing details such as the name of the person, insurance company, date, location, and other relevant information about the incident.
To further assist seniors, StateWide offers free and confidential appointments with Outreach Counselors to discuss situations, review plan options, and address Medicare-related queries, plan comparisons, appeals, billing issues, fraud, and patient’s rights. Seniors can reach out to StateWide at 800-333-4374 for assistance.
The unveiling of these Medicare marketing violations comes at a crucial time, considering that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually nationwide. StateWide, committed to combatting this illicit industry, initiated the Fraud of the Month program in 2022 to expose scams targeting the state’s seniors. Stay informed, stay protected!
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