Smart Coverage. Real Advice. · Podcast episode
Check your Medicare statements for services or equipment you didn’t receive, then call your provider to ask about any errors. If you still have concerns, report them to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Compare every Medicare statement, like your Medicare Summary Notice, with your own records of appointments, equipment deliveries and prescriptions. A service, piece of equipment or date that doesn't match what actually happened is a red flag worth reporting.
First call the office that billed you, since it may be a simple billing error. If that doesn't fix it, or you suspect fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE. With a Medicare Advantage or drug plan, you can also call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-7SAFERX.
Have your Medicare card, the date of the service or equipment you're questioning, and a clear description of what looks wrong, such as a charge for a walker you never received. More detail makes it easier for Medicare to look into it.
No. Medicare won't call to sell you anything or come to your home, and may call only if you reached out first. Never give your Medicare or Social Security number to someone who contacts you unexpectedly, and never join a plan over the phone unless you made the call. A licensed agent at The Jordan Insurance Agency can review this with you by phone or video.
Learn how to check your Medicare statements for errors, protect your Medicare number, and report suspected fraud or abuse in South Carolina. Billy Jordan of The Jordan Insurance Agency shares practical steps to keep your coverage safe.
Source: Reporting Medicare fraud & abuse (medicare.gov)
Billy Jordan is a licensed insurance agent (NPN 8699876) with The Jordan Insurance Agency, based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Voices in this episode are AI-generated, including Billy's, from a script reviewed and approved by Billy Jordan, a licensed insurance agent. General education only, not advice for your specific situation.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Talk through your own situation with a licensed agent at The Jordan Insurance Agency. Plain English, no pressure.
Tanya (AI host): I just checked my Medicare statement and saw charges for equipment I never received. How do I spot mistakes like this, and what should I do to report them in South Carolina? If you want to protect yourself and your Medicare coverage, keep listening.
Tanya (AI host): Welcome to Smart Coverage. Real Advice., the insurance podcast from The Jordan Insurance Agency. I'm Tanya, your host, and I'm here with Billy Jordan, a licensed insurance agent and the president of The Jordan Insurance Agency.
Billy Jordan: Glad to be here, Tanya. A quick disclaimer: we're not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency, and this is general education, not advice for your situation. Now, let's get into it.
Tanya (AI host): So let’s start right at the top. If you’re on Medicare in South Carolina and you see charges for equipment or services you never got—what should you do first?
Billy Jordan: The very first thing is to check all the Medicare statements you get, like your Medicare Summary Notice, and compare them with your own records—like your calendar or any notes you made about doctor visits or equipment deliveries. If you spot a service, equipment, or date that doesn’t match up with what actually happened, that’s a red flag. According to medicare.gov, this is one of the most common ways to spot fraud or abuse.
Tanya (AI host): What’s the best way to keep track, especially if you have a lot of appointments or prescriptions?
Billy Jordan: It helps to keep a simple calendar or notebook where you jot down each appointment, what you discussed, and any equipment or prescriptions you actually received. That way, when your Medicare statement arrives, you can go line by line and make sure everything matches up. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just consistent.
Tanya (AI host): If I find something that doesn’t match—like a wheelchair I never got—what’s the next step?
Billy Jordan: The first step is to call your provider’s office. Sometimes it’s just a billing error, and they can correct it quickly. But if you can’t get an answer, or if you suspect something more serious, medicare.gov says you should report it right away. You can call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, or if you have a Medicare Advantage or drug plan, you can call the Investigations Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor at 1-877-7SAFERX.
Tanya (AI host): What should you have ready before you call?
Billy Jordan: You’ll want your Medicare card, the date of the service or equipment you’re questioning, and a clear description of what you think is wrong. The more details you have, the easier it’ll be for Medicare to look into it. For example, if you see a charge for a walker on June tenth, but you never got one, jot down that date and what the charge was for.
Tanya (AI host): That makes sense. I can imagine people get nervous about calling. Is it really okay to call even if you’re not sure it’s fraud?
Billy Jordan: Absolutely. Medicare wants you to call if you see anything that doesn’t look right, even if it turns out to be a simple mistake. It’s much better to ask than to ignore something that could be fraud or abuse. The most common mistake I see is folks waiting too long, thinking it will just get sorted out on its own. Don’t wait—report it as soon as you notice.
Tanya (AI host): Besides checking statements, what else can people do to protect themselves from Medicare fraud or even identity theft?
Billy Jordan: Protecting your Medicare number is huge. Only share your Medicare card or number with people you know should have it—like your doctor or people who work with Medicare. According to medicare.gov, you should never give your Medicare or Social Security number to anyone who contacts you out of the blue, or promises you free equipment or gifts.
Tanya (AI host): So Medicare won’t ever call and ask for your number or try to sell you something?
Billy Jordan: That’s right. Medicare will never call you to sell anything, and they won’t show up at your house. The only times someone from Medicare might call is if you’ve reached out first—like if you reported a problem or asked for help. If someone calls you out of the blue asking for your Medicare number or offering free stuff, it’s a scam.
Tanya (AI host): What about joining a new Medicare plan—should you ever do that over the phone?
Billy Jordan: Only if you called them first. If you get an unsolicited call trying to sign you up for a plan, hang up. Medicare.gov is clear: never join a health or drug plan over the phone unless you initiated the call. Scammers often use high-pressure tactics, so don’t let anyone rush you.
Tanya (AI host): Is there anything else people in South Carolina should watch out for when it comes to Medicare fraud?
Billy Jordan: One thing I see is people accepting offers of money or gifts in exchange for their Medicare information. That’s a big red flag. Never accept gifts or cash for “free” medical care. And don’t let anyone other than your doctor or a legitimate provider look at your medical records or recommend services.
Tanya (AI host): And what if your Medicare card is lost or stolen?
Billy Jordan: Report it right away. Call Medicare as soon as you realize your card is missing, so they can help protect your account and issue a new card. Don’t wait—identity theft moves fast.
Tanya (AI host): It sounds like staying organized and acting quickly are the best defenses.
Billy Jordan: Exactly. A little vigilance goes a long way. Most cases of fraud are caught because someone noticed a small mistake and spoke up.
Tanya (AI host): Three things to remember. One, check your Medicare statements against your own records. Two, report anything suspicious to Medicare or your plan right away. Three, never share your Medicare number unless it’s with someone you trust, like your doctor or people who work with Medicare.
Tanya (AI host): For a personalized look at your situation, book a free thirty-minute chat with Billy and his team at thejordaninsuranceagency.com/podcast.
Billy Jordan: I'm Billy Jordan with The Jordan Insurance Agency. Until next time, take care.
Tanya (AI host): Thanks for listening to Smart Coverage. Real Advice. from The Jordan Insurance Agency.
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