Latest news with #EOB
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Shield of California Helps Seniors Be on Alert for Medicare Scams
Nonprofit health plan urges members and the public to protect themselves from fraud involving medical supplies, services not received, and suspicious charges OAKLAND, Calif., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In observance of Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Blue Shield of California is highlighting its commitment to safeguarding Medicare beneficiaries against scams and fraudulent activities. With healthcare fraud continuing to rise across the country, protecting seniors has never been more critical. Highlighting the severity of Medicare fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals, including 76 medical professionals, in a nationwide healthcare fraud enforcement action in 2024. The schemes involved over $2.75 billion in alleged false claims, including fraudulent telemedicine and prescription drug schemes. "Medicare fraud and scams continue to pose a serious threat to older adults," said Alex Uhm, vice president and general manager at Blue Shield. "We are committed to enhancing our preventive measures and providing our members with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves." Blue Shield's efforts to protect its members include distributing updated member education materials that highlight common fraud schemes and preventive measures, and the introduction of an online portal for members to report suspected fraud. Blue Shield's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is dedicated to detecting healthcare fraud and protecting our members by identifying suspicious activity and potential fraud. This proactive approach helps keep members safe and ensures fraud is addressed quickly. Blue Shield's SIU team tackles fraud across all areas, but experts have identified several prevalent scams targeting seniors, including: Unsolicited medical supplies: Receiving items such as catheters, diabetic supplies or back braces that were neither ordered nor needed. Impersonation scams: Fraudsters posing as health plan representatives to obtain personal information. Phantom billing: Charges for services or tests that were never provided. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven fraud: Emerging tactics include the misuse of beneficiary information to bill for unrequested services, and the use of AI to impersonate members and providers, as well as fabricate medical records for billing purposes. Blue Shield encourages its members to: Review statements: Carefully examine Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements for any discrepancies. Protect personal information: Avoid sharing personal details over the phone or online unless certain of the recipient's identity. Report suspicious activity: Immediately report any unfamiliar charges or services not received to the health plan's Special Investigations Unit (SIU). If seniors or their caregivers suspect fraud, call Blue Shield's Medicare fraud hotline at (855) 331-4894 (TTY:711) or email MedicareStopFraud@ Medicare beneficiaries who suspect fraud or scams are also encouraged to take these actions: Contact your health plan: Use the phone number on your health plan card to report any suspicious activity. Report lost or stolen ID cards: Inform your health plan immediately if your ID card is lost or stolen, and request a new card and ID number. Review your statements: Carefully examine your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for any services you do not recognize. Be cautious with phone calls: Even if the caller ID looks legitimate, do not confirm any personal information such as your Medicare number or social security number over the phone. Protect your health plan card: Never loan your health plan card to anyone. For more tips on how to stay safe from healthcare fraud, visit: About Blue Shield of CaliforniaBlue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with nearly 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $25 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook. CONTACT: Mashi Nyssen Blue Shield of California 510-607-2359media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Shield of California
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Shield of California Helps Seniors Be on Alert for Medicare Scams
Nonprofit health plan urges members and the public to protect themselves from fraud involving medical supplies, services not received, and suspicious charges OAKLAND, Calif., June 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In observance of Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Blue Shield of California is highlighting its commitment to safeguarding Medicare beneficiaries against scams and fraudulent activities. With healthcare fraud continuing to rise across the country, protecting seniors has never been more critical. Highlighting the severity of Medicare fraud, the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals, including 76 medical professionals, in a nationwide healthcare fraud enforcement action in 2024. The schemes involved over $2.75 billion in alleged false claims, including fraudulent telemedicine and prescription drug schemes. "Medicare fraud and scams continue to pose a serious threat to older adults," said Alex Uhm, vice president and general manager at Blue Shield. "We are committed to enhancing our preventive measures and providing our members with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves." Blue Shield's efforts to protect its members include distributing updated member education materials that highlight common fraud schemes and preventive measures, and the introduction of an online portal for members to report suspected fraud. Blue Shield's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is dedicated to detecting healthcare fraud and protecting our members by identifying suspicious activity and potential fraud. This proactive approach helps keep members safe and ensures fraud is addressed quickly. Blue Shield's SIU team tackles fraud across all areas, but experts have identified several prevalent scams targeting seniors, including: Unsolicited medical supplies: Receiving items such as catheters, diabetic supplies or back braces that were neither ordered nor needed. Impersonation scams: Fraudsters posing as health plan representatives to obtain personal information. Phantom billing: Charges for services or tests that were never provided. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven fraud: Emerging tactics include the misuse of beneficiary information to bill for unrequested services, and the use of AI to impersonate members and providers, as well as fabricate medical records for billing purposes. Blue Shield encourages its members to: Review statements: Carefully examine Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements for any discrepancies. Protect personal information: Avoid sharing personal details over the phone or online unless certain of the recipient's identity. Report suspicious activity: Immediately report any unfamiliar charges or services not received to the health plan's Special Investigations Unit (SIU). If seniors or their caregivers suspect fraud, call Blue Shield's Medicare fraud hotline at (855) 331-4894 (TTY:711) or email MedicareStopFraud@ Medicare beneficiaries who suspect fraud or scams are also encouraged to take these actions: Contact your health plan: Use the phone number on your health plan card to report any suspicious activity. Report lost or stolen ID cards: Inform your health plan immediately if your ID card is lost or stolen, and request a new card and ID number. Review your statements: Carefully examine your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) for any services you do not recognize. Be cautious with phone calls: Even if the caller ID looks legitimate, do not confirm any personal information such as your Medicare number or social security number over the phone. Protect your health plan card: Never loan your health plan card to anyone. For more tips on how to stay safe from healthcare fraud, visit: About Blue Shield of CaliforniaBlue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a tax paying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with nearly 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $25 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook. CONTACT: Mashi Nyssen Blue Shield of California 510-607-2359media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Blue Shield of California Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Montgomery County Executive Office Building renamed to honor Isiah ‘Ike' Leggett
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () — The Executive Office Building (EOB) in Rockville now carries a new name in honor of former County Executive . On Monday, Feb. 24, leaders from across the county gathered to celebrate the renaming of the EOB now called, 'Isiah 'Ike' Leggett Executive Office Building.' During the ceremony, officials also unveiled the new plaque highlighting Leggett's historic accomplishments across the county and state. In 1986, Leggett made history in Maryland as the first person of color elected to the Montgomery County Council. He served four terms as an At-Large member and three times as the council's President and Vice-President. How Justin Haynes went from working at the Gap to an international fashion icon In November 2006, Leggett continued to write history and was elected as the first Black county executive for Montgomery County. He secured his seat winning over 67% of the ballots. While serving as the Montgomery County executive, the Louisiana native addressed local issues like transportation and immigration labor, while advocating for a statewide gas tax increase to support county transit projects. He served two more terms and his final term was in 2018. Outside of his accomplishments in the county, Leggett served as a Captain in the United States Army. While on tour in the Vietnam War, he earned a Bronze Star Medal. In 1977, he was selected as a White House Fellow under President Jimmy Carter. Over the last several years, Leggett has received more than 200 honors and awards from a variety of organizations including the Maryland State Teachers Association Humanitarian Award and The Martin Luther King – Heschel Award. Hagerstown's Ebenezer AME Church to celebrate 200 years In January 2016, he was named the 'Washingtonian of the Year' by Washingtonian Magazine. 'While this building will now bear his name, Ike's true legacy isn't this building,' said County Executive Mark Elrich. It's in our neighborhoods, our schools, our parks and community centers across Montgomery County. It's in the policies that opened doors for those who'd been shut out. It's in the lives he's touched, whether they knew his name or not. Ike Leggett didn't just serve this County, he shaped it. This building, now the Isiah 'Ike' Leggett Executive Office Building, will stand as a reminder of what principled leadership looks like. It will remind every County Executive who walks through its doors of the standard Ike set, one of compassion, strength and unwavering dedication to the people he served.' County Executive Mark Elrich The Isiah 'Ike' Leggett Executive Office Building is located at 101 Monroe Street. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
