Medicare Recipients: Beware of Scam Artists Selling Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

Millions of people on Medicare are eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug coverage benefit started by the Federal Government. Private insurance companies, whose plans have been approved by Medicare, are selling these Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (also called PDPs). Insurance agents are selling this product to Medicare beneficiaries. The Mississippi Insurance Department is concerned that scam artists will try to take advantage of the situation and try to steal your money.

Here are some tips to avoid becoming the victim of a scam artist:

• Beware of door-to-door salesmen. Agents cannot solicit business at your home without an appointment. Don't let them into your home.
• Contact the Mississippi Insurance Department to make sure the salesman is licensed as an agent. See the Request Assistance Page for information on how to contact us. You may also use the Licensing Search Page to search for a licensed agent.
• Do not give out personal information, such as Social Security, bank account numbers or credit card numbers to anyone you have not verified is a licensed agent. People are not allowed to request such personal information in their marketing activities and cannot ask for payment over the internet. * They must send you a bill. Once you decide to purchase a plan and have verified that the agent is licensed, you may give the agent personal information to assist in enrollment and billing.
• Verify that the plan is an approved Medicare plan. All of the approved plans are available at www.medicare.gov or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE.
• If you suspect fraud, call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
• Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (contact information available through http://www.medicare.gov/Contacts/Default.aspx) if you have any questions at all.

To avoid being a victim, verify before you buy.

* If you sign-up for a plan through the Medicare.gov website, you will need to provide your Medicare number.