COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Department of Aging is warning the public to beware of schemes to enroll people in Medicare prescription drug plans for a fee.
COLUMBUS -- The Ohio Department of Aging is warning the public to beware of schemes to enroll people in Medicare prescription drug plans for a fee.
Participating Medicare prescription drug plan providers are not allowed to ask for bank account, Medicare, credit card or other personal numbers over the phone, according to information from the National Consumer Protection Technical Resource Center.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have received complaints from five states, including Pennsylvania, by consumers who were persuaded to withdraw $299 from their bank accounts to pay for nonexistent prescription drug services. Other people have reported receiving e-mails from companies that offer to find free or low-cost drug programs for a fee of $195, or $5 per prescription.
Federal law enforcement officers investigate such calls, which seem to be made by companies that are based outside of the United States. Anyone who receives such a call should report it to police or call (877) 772-3379.