Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 3 September 1998 — Page 18

Member FDIC

110 E. Main Street, Muncie, Indiana

The Muncie Times, September 3, 1998, Page 18

SOCIAL SECURITY

Govt. Gypped out of about $20 billion in Medicare fraud

By William D. Brown Social Security Manager in Muncie Over 800 million claims for Medicare benefits were submitted to Medicare for payment in 1997. Some of the claims were fraudulent. As fraudulent

claims were detected, some of the providers were warned; some were fined; some were thrown out of the Medicare program; and some were sent to prison. Despite the efforts, it is estimated that as much as $20 billion was stolen from

the Mortgage Experts

AT AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

BRIAN JACKSON • PAT DAVIS • SERONA BARTLETT

As individuals, each of us possesses special skills in an area we enjoy. Rarely in business do you find a team of individuals that collectively display the experience and dedication

necessary to help others maximize their home purchasing power.

THE MORTGAGE EXPERTS at American National enjoy working with people in all stages of life, helping them decide which mortgage loan product best fits their needs. Stop in or call THE MORTGAGE EXPERTS at American National Bank at 747-7575

for your free Mortgage Loan Guidebook.

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY

Medicare. Each time Medi- paid, care pays a claim it shouldn’t, Fraud most frequently hapthe government is being pens when a doctor, medical ripped off and as a taxpayer, facility or other medical care so are you. This is consid- provider misrepresents on ered fraud under federal law. the claim form what was It happens when someone furnished to the consumer, knowingly and willfully lies When you suspect that on a Medicare claim to get Medicare has improperly

paid a claim, contact the insurance company that paid. The company will contact the medical provider to investigate. If you wish, your name will not be used. If you feel comfortable doing so, you may contact the medical provider that submitted the claim before calling Medicare. Inform the medical provider that Medicare paid for the item or service, and why you believe Medicare should not have paid. If the medical provider made an honest mistake, it can be corrected and Medicare will get a refund. If the medical provider told you before you received the service that Medicare is not likely to pay for the service, you may have to pay for the service. If you beheve Medicare is being cheated, call or write the Medicare company that paid the claim. The name, address and telephone number are on the Explanation of Your Part B Medicare Ben-

efits.

If you plan to write, rather thamcall, clearly state at the beginning of your letter that you are filing a complaint.

This will ensure that your complaint is processed through the mailroom to the fraud unit. Address the envelope to the name and address on the Explanation of Medicare benefits, Attention: Medicare Fraud Unit.

Questions and Answers Q. What percent of my salary goes towards Social Security taxes? A. In 1998, you and your employer each pay 7.65 percent of your gross salary, up to $68,400. If you make more than $68,400 in 1998, you continue to pay the Medicare portion of the Social Security tax on the rest of your earnings. The Medicare portion of the tax is 1.45 percent for employers and , employees each, and 2.9 percent for self-employed people.

Q. If I became disabled, wouj^l my children be eligible for any Social Security benefits? A. Social Security disability benefits are paid not only to a disabled worker, but also to his or her dependent children 18, or 19 if still in school in grade 12 or below. Benefits for children disabled before age 22 may continue as long as they are disabled. For estimates of what retirement, disability and survivor benefits you and your family can receive, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, and ask for an “Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement.” It will also show how much money you’ve earned each year and how much you’ve paid in Social Security taxes.