Medicare ripoff schemes starting already

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05281/584826.stm

Marketing for the new Medicare prescription drug benefit has just begun, yet rip-off schemes have surfaced already.

In response, the federal government yesterday announced that it is working with private firms and local law enforcement agencies to prevent fraud and abuse. It also offered tips on how seniors can protect themselves.

Dr. Mark B. McClellan, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said during a news conference in Washington, D.C., that eight companies -- including the IT firm founded by former presidential candidate Ross Perot -- have received contracts to help the government fight fraud.

Schemes in West Virginia and Illinois that involved telephone solicitations have been uncovered already, said Dr. McClellan. In both cases, people claiming to sell prescription drug plans sought financial information from Medicare beneficiaries.

[cornermouse]

1. And the misinformation that they are sending out in their newest

information to seniors isn't going to help this. For some reason, they seem to think that seniors are supposed to pick up the vibes that they're sending out and either call them or go to the website on the computer that a lot of seniors don't have. :grr:

Worst. President. Ever.

[Up2Late]

2. I saw my first Medicare Drug Program Ad on T.V. today

Ridiculous, total BS.

[goclark]

3. My Mom's BC/BS Provider sent a letter that said,

something like " if you sign up for the Medicare drug program, we will drop you from ours."

We are sticking with the Blue Cross/BS

[CountAllVotes]

4. my husband got a call last night

I answered the phone and they said it was social security calling for my husband. I asked them what they wanted. They said it was about the Medicare drug discounts. I told them he did not want this. They got angry with me and said, "Who are you anyway? His wife?" I said yes. Then they said to me, "Are you in charge of making decisions for him?" I told them it was none of their business and they said they wanted to speak to him.

I replied again, "He doesn't want to talk to you and doesn't want what you are selling."

They became infuriated with me and demanded that I put him on the phone.

I told them, "You just don't get it do you? He does not want to talk to you!"

End of call. If they call me, I'll tell them to go Cheney themselves.

I wonder if this was a for real call or what? Since when does Social Security call you at night?

I am on the DO NOT CALL list. Does that matter?

:kick:

[Beetwasher]

5. This Is What It Was Designed For In The First Place

The program itself a fraud, that allows even more fraud and then even MORE privatization to supposedly fight the fraud.

"In response, the federal government yesterday announced that it is working with private firms and local law enforcement agencies to prevent fraud and abuse."

Jut throw more money at the private firms who are responsible for the fraud in the first place. Yeah, that oughta do it. :eyes:

[CountAllVotes]

6. it is fraud

My husband gets a whopping $377 a month after they deduct the cost of Medicare from his check. I felt like saying to them, "You've already got close to $80 of his check, now you want more and it will be over $85.00 a month in January 2006. Is your real goal to take the whole thing from him?"

He is a Korean war veteran ... nice way to treat our men that have served honorably in a war in the USA and to think that some end up with only $377 a month to live on. How disgusting and now fraud enters the scene to grab up all that might be left. :grr: :grr: :grr:

:kick: