People Are Committing Hospice Fraud—Yes, You Heard That Right

Imagine someone offering you free in-home services like cooking, cleaning, or even medical care—all they need is your Medicare number. Sounds helpful, right? Think again. This could be a scam to commit hospice fraud, and it’s happening more often than you might think.

What Is Hospice Fraud?

Hospice fraud is a scam where fraudsters falsely enroll people in Medicare’s hospice program. Why? So they can bill Medicare for services you don’t need—or worse, services you never receive.

Here’s how it works: scammers target seniors with calls, texts, emails, or even by showing up at their door. They promise free in-home benefits, but their real goal is to get your Medicare number. Once they have it, they enroll you in hospice care without your knowledge or consent.

Why This Scam Is So Dangerous

Hospice care is meant for individuals who are terminally ill, with a life expectancy of six months or less. It’s a specialized service focused on comfort, not cure, and it requires certification from a doctor.

If scammers enroll you in hospice care fraudulently, it could affect your Medicare coverage in the future. For instance, while enrolled in hospice, Medicare won’t cover treatments to cure illnesses, as hospice assumes you’ve chosen comfort care over curative care. This can create major problems if you need other medical services.

How to Spot a Hospice Scam

Be on the lookout for these warning signs:

• Free Services with a Catch: If someone offers free cooking, cleaning, or medical care in exchange for your Medicare number, it’s a red flag.
• Pressure Tactics: Scammers may promise gift cards, cash, or groceries to get you to sign up for hospice care. Legitimate services never work this way.
• Fake Medicare Representatives: Medicare will never visit your home or call to offer enrollment in any program. If someone claims otherwise, they’re lying.

How to Protect Yourself

Protecting yourself from hospice fraud is easier than you think:

• Keep Your Medicare Number Private: Only share your Medicare information with trusted healthcare providers.
• Reject Suspicious Offers: Say no to anyone offering “free” services in exchange for personal information.
• Verify with Medicare: If you’re unsure, call 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm if any service or offer is legitimate.

What to Do If You’re Targeted

If someone tries to involve you in a hospice scam, don’t panic. Instead:

• Refuse to Share Information: Never give out your Medicare number or sign any documents.
• Report the Scam: Contact Medicare or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to report the incident.

Bottom Line: Be Cautious and Share widely

Hospice fraud not only affects your Medicare benefits but can also harm countless others if left unchecked. By spreading the word, you can help protect your friends and family from falling victim to these scams.

Remember, if something sounds too good to be true—like free services with no strings attached—it probably is. Stay cautious, stay informed, and keep your Medicare benefits safe.

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