How Medicare Fraud Hurts Older Adults, and Solutions to Prevent and Address Harm
Article Publication Date
Summary
The AARP Public Policy Institute recently released a report outlining how Medicare fraud hurts beneficiaries and providing recommendations for remedying and preventing such harm.
Harms from fraud disproportionately affect Medicare beneficiaries with lower incomes, people with cognitive impairment, those who are socially isolated, and people with disabilities. Medicare enrollees bear both personal and financial consequences of fraudulent activity. Fraud can create erroneous out-of-pocket costs, cause stress associated with correcting billing and enrollment problems, and block access to care. Although the vast majority of providers and suppliers bill Medicare legitimately, fraud remains a significant concern for individuals and families.
Harms from fraud disproportionately affect Medicare beneficiaries with lower incomes, people with cognitive impairment, those who are socially isolated, and people with disabilities. Medicare enrollees bear both personal and financial consequences of fraudulent activity. Fraud can create erroneous out-of-pocket costs, cause stress associated with correcting billing and enrollment problems, and block access to care. Although the vast majority of providers and suppliers bill Medicare legitimately, fraud remains a significant concern for individuals and families.