12/13/2024

You heard that correctly: Scammers are committing hospice fraud

FTC

Did someone reach out and offer free, in-home perks like cooking and cleaning in exchange for your Medicare number? Don’t give it. That could be a scammer trying to commit hospice fraud.

Scammers are targeting older adults — with calls, texts, emails, fake ads, and even door-to-door visits — claiming they’ll set you up with services like free cooking, cleaning, and home health care. What they likely won’t tell you is how: They want to commit fraud by signing you up for Medicare hospice — that’s right, hospice — care. Then, they can bill Medicare for all kinds of services in your name.

Here’s what to know: Hospice care is a specialized service, often done at home, for people with a terminal illness approaching the end of life. Only your doctor can certify that you’re eligible for hospice (meaning your life expectancy is 6 months or less). If you‘re signed up for hospice and don’t need it, this could affect your Medicare coverage in the future. Anyone who tells you differently is a scammer.