Participants! Protect yourselves from being a victim of Medicaid fraud and false medical claim schemes during these unprecedented times surrounding the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Medicaid scammers and fraudsters perpetrate fraud by preying on people’s fears in times of crisis. Their schemes include selling fake COVID-19 test kits, and marketing unapproved treatments through telemarketing calls, unsolicited text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits.
You can find additional information about Wyoming’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, find reputable testing sites, and find information about whether you qualify for Covid-19 testing by contacting:
-Your Personal Care Physician (PCP)
-Wyoming Medicaid at 307-777-7531.
-Wyoming Department of Health website at https://health.wyo.gov/
Testing for and treatment directly related to COVID-19 are covered services for all current Medicaid clients. Both Medicaid and Medicare have waived cost-sharing for testing related to COVID-19 and Medicaid has waived copays related to treatment as well. Your provider will determine whether testing is appropriate for your condition. More information on the Wyoming Department of Health response to COVID-19 is available at https://health.wyo.gov.
DO NOT SHARE your personal information (i.e. Social Security Number), Medicaid Member number with anyone other than a trusted healthcare provider. If you receive unsolicited contact from any individual requesting that you share this type of information please contact:
-Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at Phone: (307) 777-3444 or 1-800-378-0345 (toll free in Wyoming)
Email: ag.medicaid.fraud@wyo.gov
Website: https://ag.wyo.gov/medicaid-fraud-control-unit
Or
-Wyoming Medicaid Program Integrity Unit at
Phone: 307-777-2054
Website: https://health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/program-integrity/
RED FLAGS: Scammers and fraudsters may exhibit one or more of the following behaviors:
– Contact with no existing or prior relationship with you,
– Promises for services or supplies at “little or no cost” to you,
– Offers to pay you for signing up for services or supplies,
– Demands or requests for cash only payments for services or calls.
Healthcare fraud can negatively impact you by:
– Compromising your personal identifying information and medical information,
– Delivering services or supplies, which are useless, or may cause you harm,
– Creating an inaccurate medical history,
– Delaying needed treatment by providing an ineffective or non-existent service,
– Out of pocket expenses for fraud are not reimbursed by Medicaid,
– Loss of benefits when billing caps are reached due to claims for unwanted/unneeded services,
– Diminished trust in the healthcare industry, and the patient/physician relationship.
Fraud negatively impacts Medicaid by:
– Wastes taxpayer funds that support public plans,
– Anti-fraud requirements increase provider and program administrative burdens and costs,
– Resources diverted to preventing, detecting, and punishing fraud, waste, and abuse, and
– Delays claims processing.
You may also report any concerns regarding COVID-19 fraud and scams to:
Local Law Enforcement
The Wyoming Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit
– Website: https://ag.wyo.gov/cpu, – Phone: (307) 777-6397 or 1-800-438-5799 (toll free in Wyoming) – Email: ag.consumer@wyo.gov
OR
The United States’ Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General
– Oig.hhs.gov
– 800-HHS-TIPS
