This is
to inform you that Medicare is aware of an organized group who is
representing themselves as either a Medicare Fraud Investigator; or
a Medicare employee from the enrollment, claims or audit units. These
callers tell the physician, or office personnel, that
the Medicare
computer system has had a malfunction and they need to update lost
information. The callers may also say they need to update the physician’s
provider record. They then request via telephone or fax the following
information:
- Copy
of Physician’s Drivers License;
- Copy
of Physician’s Social Security Number (SSN);
- Unique
Physician Identification Number (UPIN);
- Verification
of education;
- Verification
of Practice Location;
- Copy
of Physician’s Medical License;
- Copy
of Patient’s Charts for a specific period of time.Once
the entity receives this information, they falsify enrollment data
using the physician’s name and request a change to their practice
locations, telephone numbers, and pay-to-addresses.
Once the
entity receives this information, they falsify enrollment data using
the physician’s name and request a change to their practice
locations, telephone numbers, and pay-to-addresses.
The Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has not suffered any computer
system malfunction and are not calling providers requesting the above
information be provided. If you should receive such a call, please
try to verify the telephone number of the caller, and immediately
notify your Medicare carrier that you suspect fraud.
The CMS
is committed to protecting all Medicare providers/suppliers and to
ensuring that only those qualified make changes to enrollment data.
We believe that with your help we
can target those unscrupulous individuals
that are looking to take advantage of you and the Medicare trust fund. |
