OKLAHOMA INSURANCE DEPARTMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN MEDICARE FRAUD PREVENTION WEEK TO TEACH CONSUMERS HOW TO PREVENT FRAUD 

OKLAHOMA CITY — Fraud costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion annually. It costs Medicare beneficiaries time, stress, their medical identities and potentially their health. The Oklahoma Insurance Department’s (OID) Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) is spreading awareness of fraud and teaching consumers how they can prevent it during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, June 2-8, 2025. The annual campaign takes place the week of June 5, or “6-5,” in recognition of the age when most people become eligible for Medicare. 

“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” Divisional Director of the MAP Ray Walker said. “We teach people how to avoid experiencing Medicare fraud. By preventing fraud from happening, this program helps individuals and protects the Medicare program for generations to come.” 

Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones by joining MAP, the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and their partners for Medicare Fraud Prevention Week. 

Everyone plays a part in the fight against fraud. During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week: 

• Medicare beneficiaries can monitor their insurance statements to make sure products and services received match what is on the statements. 
• Caregivers can help by reminding their clients or loved ones to never give out their Medicare number or other personal information over the phone. 
• Families can help by talking to their loved ones about protecting their Medicare number just as they would a credit card number. They can help their loved ones create a Medicare.gov account to access their Medicare statements online or remind them to open and review them when they come in the mail. 
• Health care providers can help by talking to patients about health care-related scams, such as those related to durable medical equipment and genetic testing schemes.
• Community members can help by encouraging those they know to talk to a trusted source about their Medicare questions and telling neighbors about the most recent Medicare scams. 

The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is ready to provide you with the information you need to PROTECT yourself from Medicare fraud, errors and abuse; DETECT potential fraud, errors and abuse; and REPORT your concerns. 

To help spread awareness, MAP will host a special episode of the Medicare Mondays webinar focusing on fraud prevention. You can register for the webinar at map.oid.ok.gov. 

Learn more about Medicare Fraud Prevention Week at www.smpresource.org. 

If you have questions about other insurance issues, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 800-522-0071 or visit our website at oid.ok.gov.