Greg's Corner

Scammers prey on the elderly with hospice care fraud

By Greg Collier

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a stark warning about a disturbing trend in Medicare fraud involving the enrollment of unsuspecting individuals into hospice care, often without their knowledge or consent.

Reports flooding into the FBI’s Houston office paint a troubling picture of scammers manipulating the healthcare system for their financial gain. The FBI says they have received a significant uptick in complaints.

What sets this scam apart is its brazen exploitation of individuals nearing the end of their lives. Scammers, masquerading as healthcare providers, are enrolling predominantly elderly victims into hospice care unnecessarily. The repercussions are grave, both financially and medically, as victims find themselves saddled with exorbitant bills for services they neither wanted nor needed.

The consequences extend beyond financial strain. Victims may experience delays or denials of essential medical care due to being erroneously enrolled in hospice. As the FBI emphasizes, this fraudulent activity can have dire, potentially life-threatening consequences, depriving individuals of timely access to vital healthcare services.

Unraveling the intricate web of deceit reveals a network of collaborators complicit in this exploitation. Behind the scenes, unscrupulous healthcare providers, often aided by complicit physicians and recruiters posing as legitimate marketers or sales representatives, orchestrate these fraudulent enrollments.

The FBI offers practical advice to shield yourself or a loved one from falling victim to such scams. If an unfamiliar caller solicits sensitive details, refrain from divulging any information or confirming existing data. Remember, legitimate healthcare providers will not initiate contact in such a manner.

Telemarketing calls can serve as a gateway for fraudsters. If you receive an unsolicited call regarding healthcare services, exercise caution and promptly disconnect the call.

By heeding the FBI’s cautionary advice, we can collectively combat Medicare fraud and safeguard the well-being of our communities’ most vulnerable members.