Fraud committed against elderly citizens is not a new thing. Recently, it has been rampant in some parts of the USA. Elderly scams do not just limit to hackers stealing all their life savings but also extend to nursing homes that mistreat them and claim money for false services and goods.

Just as there are ways to protect elders from fraud calls, one can also ensure that no nursing home conducts such heinous scams against seniors. To identify and prevent scams, one must be very careful. Most importantly, it is imperative to understand how a nursing home can commit fraud and elder abuse.

Elder abuse is becoming widespread in the healthcare arena. Nursing homes target seniors who have insurance and take advantage of the same. They might mistreat them and make a bill twice the actual amount or even more. Since they are insured, the staff tries to get as much out of their insurance. It affects the insurance organization and the patients as their coverage and annual allowance get impacted. Therefore, we must keep our eyes open and prevent Medicare scams.

Link Between Elder Abuse and Healthcare Fraud

Healthcare scams are considered the worst of elderly abuse. When a nursing facility takes unfair advantage of a patient's medicare and treats them inappropriately, it is no less than elder abuse. They often mistreat patients, duplicate bills and engage in several unethical acts. It is their duty to look after the health of their patients and ensure they are treated with respect and dignity. The maltreatment is thus nothing less than a crime. It is a grave form of elder abuse and must be checked.

Signs of Elder Abuse in Healthcare

If you wish to prevent medicare scams, you must identify the signs. Here are some tell-tale signs pointing to foul play in a nursing home.

Duplicate bills are among the most common signs of medical fraud. Make sure the bill you receive is for medication, medical services, and doctor's appointments. Also, try to cross-check with the patient in case they add services that have not been provided.

Health insurance is meant to keep up the health of seniors, both physical and mental. You should be alarmed if long-term or short-term care facilities show negligence and inadequate care.

Medical services and companies generally never waive deductibles. If you are faced with a situation like this, look into it and take it to the insurance company or report it to the senior medicare patrol Hawaii.

Medical information should always be kept updated and accurate. It is best to keep track of the information, especially if your parents live in a long-term care facility. You can ask the authority to keep you posted about the bills and check their log from time to time. In case you find inaccurate information or vague expenses listed on the bills, know there's something not right. Investigate the issue and get to its root.

Inappropriate billing is another of the most alarming trends in the medical field. Stay alert and keep track of services, medical goods, and equipment the patient uses. Report Inappropriate billing immediately.

When a care facility provides you with wrong information about the date, location, provider, or services, it is a sign of a medicare scam. Most people do not cross-check the information and give their consent. Do not make that mistake. Always verify the information and only then sign papers. In case of misinformation, report medicare fraud as soon as possible.

Incorrect care or medication can be harmful to the patient. Often care facilities pay less attention to insured patients and do not treat them well. Look for such signs and bring them to the authority's attention if you spot any.

What to Do in the Case of Medicare Fraud

Medicare fraud is becoming very common throughout the States. But luckily for Hawaiian citizens, some great non-profit organizations work towards protecting the rights of elderly adults. SMPHawaii has protected seniors against medicare fraud since 1997. They make it a point to investigate complaints and advocate for the citizens and their family members.

To report medicare fraud in Hawaii, you simply have to call their toll-free number to lodge your complaint. Once you have reported your issue, they will personally look into it and take all necessary steps to resolve it.

The SMPHawaii alone cannot help senior citizens if they and their families are not aware and alert. Therefore, always check the bills and services nursing homes provide you. Keep track of the information and cross-check details to prevent medicare scams.