Friday November16, 2012
Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you have any questions about the Illinois SMP program, or to receive these Fraud Alerts directly, please contact Jason Echols, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator at AgeOptions.
This project was supported in part by grant numbers 90MP0163 and 90SP0015 from the U.S. Administration on Aging, 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 on Aging policy.
Fraud In The News
The following are current news articles about health care and fraud issues.
Health Care Fraud:
- “Retiree reaches settlement in Medicare overbilling case” (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 10/30/12):
- “Justice Department Officials Raise Awareness of Disaster Fraud Hotline” (U.S. Department of Justice Press Release):
- “Avoid a PIN-Number Data Breach” (AARP):
Dear SMP readers,
This week’s Fraud Alert containsSMP tips to share with friends and family over the holidays, new non-English SMP materials, and a press release from the Department of Justice about a Chicago psychiatrist accused of submitting false claims and receiving kickbacks.
Have a great weekend!
What you will find in this week’s Fraud Alert
- SMP Thoughts for the Holidays
- “ICE” Cards Now in Spanish, Korean, and Tagalog
- Chicago Psychiatrist Faces Allegations of Submitting 190,000 False Claims and Receiving Kickbacks
As we approach the holiday season, many of us will spend time with older relatives and friends. This is a great time to check in with them, and here are a few thoughts about how you can talk with them about fraud:
- Do they carry their Medicare card in their wallet? That can put them at risk for identity theft. An “In Case of Emergency” Card, like the ones from the SMP, are a much safer idea. (See below)
- Medicare Open Enrollment is Oct 15 – Dec 7. Have they received inappropriate insurance plan marketing? Read the SMP Tip Sheet:
- Are they reading their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanations of Benefits to look for suspicious billing? That is the best way to detect health care fraud. Share the SMP’s “How to Read an MSN”:
“ICE” Cards Now in Spanish, Korean, and Tagalog
The SMP Program has translated its “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) Card ( into Spanish, Korean, and Tagalog. You can view these translated cards on our website (under “SMP Materials”).
If you would like to request one of these cards for yourself or a friend, call AgeOptions at (800)699-9043 and ask for “SMP.” Be sure to specify if you want English, Spanish, Korean, or Tagalog. (Note: We encourage you to fill out the card in English where applicable so English-speaking first responders can read it and respond appropriately in an emergency.)
Chicago Psychiatrist Faces Allegations ofSubmitting 190,000 False Claims and Receiving Kickbacks
The U.S. Department of Justice announced this week that it has filed a civil lawsuit against a Chicago psychiatrist. The allegations in the lawsuit include submitting at least 190,000 false claims to Medicare and Medicaid for medications and services provided to nursing home residents. The lawsuit also states that the psychiatrist allegedly solicited and received kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies and based his prescriptions on the receipt of the kickbacks. Read the Department of Justice press release for the full details of this lawsuit:
Jason B. Echols, MSW, Health Care Consumer Protection Coordinator
AgeOptions
1048 Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, IL60301
phone (708)383-0258 fax (708)524-0870
ageoptions.org
AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, is committed to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity of older adults and those who care about them – through leadership and support, community partnerships, comprehensive services, accurate information and powerful advocacy.
Fraud Alertscontain information about current scams taking place in Illinois, announcements and updates about programs or services related to health care and/or fraud protection, and links to news articles about health care and fraud topics. Please forward any recommendations or announcements that you would like to be included in a future Fraud Alert to .