Scam/News

Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Consumer Alert: CMS Issues MMA Prescription Drug Consumer Protection Fact Sheet
August 18th, 2005

The new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit provides an unprecedented opportunity to get seniors much needed help. The Aging Network and Community-Based Organizations are prime vehicles for reaching out to and gaining access to seniors to describe the new benefit and help seniors choose a plan that is right for them. As preparations for the new drug benefit continue at a brisk pace, there have been several reports of potentially inappropriate activities from several different states that you should be aware of.

In one state, the Administration on Aging’s Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) project reported a complaint from a local senior center about a high pressure insurance salesman pressing the center to allow him to set up a time to sign up seniors for the new prescription drug plans.

In another state, a local community agency received reports from a senior who had been contacted by a “heavy handed sales” person by phone trying to get them to sign up for a new drug plan; a second complaint about materials received in the mail stating “...the President has announced guidelines for Medicare reform...” with no company information and a Post Office Box for a return address; a third complaint involving a company that offered an assisted living facility resident $20 to respond to a questionnaire that ultimately attempted to solicit confidential information.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently released a Fact Sheet for consumers warning them about the issue of identity theft, and providing specific steps for protecting your personal information. You are encouraged to download this publication and use it to educate your staff and the consumers you serve.
http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11147.pdf

Be aware that while legitimate plan applicants are allowed to “educate” consumers about the general Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit at this time and may state that they have “applied” to be a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and have submitted a bid and formulary to CMS for consideration, they are NOT allowed to market or discuss enrollment in their specific plan or identify themselves as a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan until October 1, 2005.

It is important that we not cause alarm or deter people from seeking information from legitimate sources, or signing up for Medicare Advantage plans or the new Prescription Drug Plans beginning November 15, 2005. However, seniors and the agencies that serve them need to be aware of the steps they can take to make informed decisions and protect themselves from serious threats such as identity theft.

The Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) of South Dakota is encouraging people on Medicare to sign up for the Federal Trade Commission’s National DO NOT CALL Registry to avoid unwanted telephone solicitations. You can sign up for this registry by calling 1-888-382-1222.

If you have a concern about the legitimacy of someone calling or mailing information regarding the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, please contact the S.D. Medicare Assistance Program at 1-800-822-8804 or visit our website at www.medicareassistanceprogram.org.

Take an active role in learning about Medicare’s Prescription Drug Benefit by calling
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visiting www.medicare.gov

The Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) of South Dakota is the local Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Project in South Dakota. The program is funded by the Administration on Aging to educate people on Medicare about Medicare & Medicaid Fraud.