We hear about medicare fraud more than we like. Suzie and Matt have been working with health and medicare insurance for over a decade in Washington State. In addition with Shayla we make up Wenatchee Insurance. We do not work for Medicare. Here is the disclaimer:
“We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 16 organizations which offer 62 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options.”
Every agent is required to tell you a disclaimer and you will even see them on their websites. If you don’t receive one then you know that something strange is occuring.
Medicare Fraud does occur during the annual enrollment period.
The Medicare annual enrollment period runs October 15 through December 7 every year. It allows people with Medicare Prescription plans and Medicare Advantage plans to review and change plans every year. There is a lot of activity and chaos so we want to make sure that if you encounter anything strange that you can lend a hand in prevention. Having an appointment with an agent that you know can reduce the chance of fraud from occurring.
If you are not in our office in Wenatchee at 413 Mission Street then we are talking over the phone, it is on a recorded line. Medicare enrollments over the phone have been required for the last couple of years to be recorded. Yes, trained medicare agents record calls.
Medicare Fraud prevention tips
The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner has some great medicare fraud tips. The suggest checking the credentials when ever you have a question about who is selling you a medicare plan. We post copies of our licenses in our office lobby.
If you see Fraud then call 800-562-6900
When you report them. Let them know who they said they were and their phone number.
