Tech & Innovation in Healthcare

What else can we do to protect our patients?

Illinois Subscriber

Answer: You’re right to treat those unsolicited requests like scams. In February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) alerted the public regarding COVID-19 fraud schemes. Fraudsters are using text messages, telemarketing phone calls, social media networks, testing sites, and door-to-door visits to carry out scams related to COVID-19.

By collecting personal data, including Medicare beneficiary information, the scammers can commit medical identity theft and bill federal healthcare programs fraudulently to benefit themselves — while leaving the beneficiaries to possibly face legal and financial ramifications.

Provide your patients with these helpful tips to help protect them from scammers:

• Don’t share photos of COVID-19 vaccination cards on social media. The content on those cards, including the patient’s date of birth, healthcare details, and other personally identifiable information can be used to steal the patient’s identity.
• Be wary of COVID-19 testing sites that require financial or medical information to receive a free test.
• Medicare beneficiaries should remain cautious of unsolicited requests for medical, financial, or personal information. Medicare won’t call beneficiaries to provide COVID-19-related services, products, or benefit reviews.
• Hang up immediately on unexpected or suspicious calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies.
• Scammers may pretend to be COVID-19 contact tracers. Authentic contact tracers won’t ask for your financial or medical information or attempt to schedule a COVID-19 test.