When seeking medical care, we like to believe that our needs will always be addressed. Although this is the case most of the time for most people, sometimes it may not be. When fraud is committed, several red flags can appear, making it easy to spot. This can include someone stealing your name and insurance information for prescription drugs.
On the other hand, fraud may not always be easy to spot, especially if you don’t know what to expect. An example of this would be a physician ordering extra services to increase payments from an insurer.
No matter the situation or severity, there are several things you should keep in mind when it comes to spotting healthcare fraud. Our healthcare fraud attorney in McAllen would like to provide some insight into this very serious and illegal matter.
False Information
One incredibly important way to spot healthcare fraud is by checking to see if there is any incorrect information concerning your benefits. A few things to look out for are wrong dates or listed services that you didn’t receive. Be sure to speak up, because by not doing so, you may end up paying for charges you shouldn’t have to.
Remember these two things:
- Document visits with your doctor. Jot down dates and times you visited as well as treatment/prescriptions you received. Take this info and compare it to your explanation of benefits (EOB).
- Contact your insurer every so often to make sure that your records match theirs.
Medicare Fraud
When it comes to Medicare fraud, the details can be quite extensive and complicated. Medicare.gov has a great page detailing a few tips on spotting this type of fraud. If you’d like more information from our healthcare fraud attorney in McAllen, then contact us today.
Be Smart with Your Insurance Card
Everyone is given an insurance card after securing a policy. Ensure that yours is always in your possession or someplace safe. Keep it in a safe at home or tightly hidden in a wallet. Be sure to eliminate any chances of it being lost or stolen. Also keep in mind that loaning your card out is illegal.
Be Wary of “Free” Healthcare
In life, when something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. The same can be said for healthcare. If a healthcare provider is offering free services or happens to waive your copay, then be wary. These two, and similar signs, are immediate red flags that something isn’t right. Providers who do this do so to charge an insurer more for other services.
Our Healthcare Fraud Attorney Wants to Help You
Omar Ochoa is a distinguished and knowledgeable attorney when it comes to dealing with healthcare fraud. Don’t be afraid to speak out if you spot this type of wrongdoing. As a whistleblower, you have rights that our firm will uphold on your behalf. Contact our lawyer in McAllen today to learn more about what we can do for you.