How to Report Medicare Fraud, Explained by a Cleveland Medicare Fraud Attorney August 29, 2012.

It’s important to protect yourself and loved ones from Medicare fraud. You can do this by checking for mistakes and other inconsistencies. If you believe that you have been a victim, then your next step should be to consult with a Cleveland Medicare fraud attorney.

Reporting Medicare Fraud in Ohio

How do you know if you or someone you love has been the victim of fraud? One of the ways to know is to review any mistakes made on payments.

You can do this by checking what Medicare was billed for, what they actually paid, and if you owe anything, how much. You might be surprised to learn that Medicare has billed for services not received or for equipment you never got.

If you find that you or a loved one is the victim of fraud, you can first try contacting your healthcare provider or Medicare (Department of Job and Family Services). It may have just been a mix-up that can be easily taken care of.

However, if nothing is resolved, then you may need to take it a step further and contact the Office of the Attorney General in Ohio. You can do this by calling 800-262-0515.

Or you can go online and complete a form. You will need to provide your contact information, including your name, email and phone number. In addition, you will need the name of the person or provider who has committed the fraud, and if you have his or her contact information, fill that in as well.

You will also need to put in the victim’s name, the date the fraud occurred, and specific details surrounding the incident. If you have additional documentation you can provide, check the applicable box. That information can then be sent to the Medicaid Intake Officer at the Office of the Attorney General’s address.

Information You Need to Report

It’s important to have as much information and documentation as you can when reporting fraud to Medicare. Before you call anyone to report fraud, make sure you have compiled all of the necessary information and have reviewed all of the facts surrounding the situation.

Some of the information you will need before you report fraud include:

reason you believe Medicare shouldn’t have paid;
healthcare provider’s name;
Medicare number (is listed on your card);
item or service that is in question;
date on Medicare Summary Notice;
date items or service in questions was delivered or given; and
amount Medicare approved and paid for.

Any other information or documentation that can back up your claims should also be assembled ahead of time. The more you have, the better you will be able to prove your case.

Seeking Help from a Cleveland Medicare Fraud Attorney

Pursuing legal action for fraud can be challenging. These types of cases are complicated and with regulations and laws surrounding Medicare constantly changing, it can cause further confusion.

In addition, fraud cases can be expensive. That’s because of the investigative work that must go into this. However, these aren’t reasons to give up pursuing a case but rather, the very reason you should immediately seek legal representation.

An attorney can help in determining if you have a strong case. They can also assist with the assembling of evidence that will be required. Don’t delay in seeking help and learning what steps are necessary to protect your legal rights.

If you would like help in learning if you have a valid case of fraud in Cleveland, Ohio, contact us today for a free consultation at (440) 333-3800.