Make a Difference: Become a Medicare Fraud Fighter

Did you know that fraud and abuse cost our health care system $100 billion a year? And $60 billion of that is Medicare fraud alone.

Thieves and scam artists are driving up your insurance premiums and other health care costs. They’re picking your pockets because they think you don’t know enough to fight back. What’s more, many people do not understand the statements they receive from Medicare or their insurance companies and they would not know where to turn if they did find fraud.

It's time for you to get the facts and protect yourself against fraud.

To help our members and all New Yorkers learn how to identify fraud and what to do about it, AARP has launched a Medicare Fraud Fighters program. This effort is being conducted in partnership with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, New York State Office for the Aging, NYS Department of Insurance, Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, the NYS Coalition on Aging.

Our network of trained volunteer Fraud Fighters are working in their communities across the state to educate others about Medicare fraud. They conduct brief, informative presentations to Medicare beneficiaries on how to read and understand their statements from Medicare and insurers, how to recognize fraud, and how to report it. These presentations are available in English and Spanish.

We also have consumer-friendly information on how to spot fraud, who to call if you believe there might be a fraudulent charge on your bill or you receive a suspicious call, and tips to avoid fraud.

Join us in the fight against Medicare fraud.

Download our toolkit for more information on detecting fraud for you or a loved one and what you can do in your community.

Schedule a Fraud Fighter presentation in your own community by contacting Alyssa Cole at (866) 227-7442 or acole@aarp.org.

Or consider volunteering as a Medicare Fraud Fighter. You will volunteer on your own time and in your own community. You will also join a team of vibrant and dedicated volunteers who are using their skills and talents to make a difference. Contact Alyssa Cole at (866) 227-7442 or email acole@aarp.org.