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Nichols: Important to safeguard against fraud
Published 6/24/2009 in Commentary : Columns
The National Consumer Protection Technical Resource Center, (877) 808-2468 or www.smpresource.org, offers the following tips to protect yourself from health care fraud.
- Only visit your personal doctor, hospital or clinic for medical help. Only they should make referrals for special equipment, services or medicine.
- Never show anyone your medical or prescription records without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
- If someone calls and tries to threaten or pressure you into something, simply hang up the phone.
- If someone comes to your door and says they are from Medicare or some other health care company, shut the door ... it's shrewd to be rude!
- Do your homework and talk to your health care provider before buying or investing in Internet "cure-all" or "miracle" products or services.
- Don't keep mail in your mailbox for more than one day. People steal personal information right out of your mailbox.
- Rip up or shred your Medicare or other health care papers and other important documents before throwing them away. Crooks go through the trash.
- Treat your Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards. If someone offers to buy your Medicare or Social Security number, don't do it ... it's simply not worth it.
- Remember that "Medicare" doesn't sell anything.
- Follow your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is!
- If you suspect an error, fraud or abuse related to health care, gather the facts and report it.
- Always read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or health care billing statement. Your Medicare Summary Notice is the piece of mail stamped "This is Not a Bill" that comes in after you get medical care.
- Look for three things on your billing statement: charges for something you didn't get, billing for the same thing twice and services that were not ordered by the doctor.
Computer classes
Carol Ham, Garden City Community College computer instructor, will conduct the last two classes from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday and July 2. Class is titled, "Would you like to learn?"
Attendees will learn how to know more about your computer, how to make cards, how to make mailing labels, how to use e-mail, how to use Microsoft Word and Excel, how to get help on your own projects and how to make flyers.
Class is open to the public. Just plan to stop by the Senior Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on the above dates.
Scheduled activities
Thursday: TOPS will meet at 8:30 a.m. Art class will meet at 10 a.m. Ambassador Singers will practice at 1 p.m. Ham will have a class in the computer lab from 1 to 3 p.m.
Friday: The exercise group will meet at 8:30 a.m. Check-in/out for the Craft Shop is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A health services nurse will do screenings beginning at 10:30 a.m. Bridge is played at 1 p.m.
Saturday: Prairie Land Food pickup is at 7 a.m. The pool room will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Fiddlers, Pickers Singers will meet from 4 to 11 p.m.
Sunday: No activities are scheduled.
Monday: Stretching exercises begin at 8:30 a.m. STEPS exercises are at 10 a.m. A health services nurse will do screenings beginning at 10:30 a.m. Humdinger Band will meet at 12:30 p.m. Bridge is played at 1 p.m. Upbeats will practice at 3 p.m. Duplicate bridge is played at 7 p.m.
Tuesday: There will be a para in the computer lab from 10 a.m. to noon. Pitch is played at 12:45 p.m. Duplicate bridge begins at 1:15 p.m. Bridge is played at 7 p.m.
July 1: Line dancing is at 8:30 a.m. (call 272-3620 for more information about this or any exercise program). A para will be in the computer area from 10 a.m. to noon. STEPS exercises are scheduled at 10 and 11 a.m. Pinochle is played at 12:45 p.m. The Sewing Group meets from 1 to 4 p.m. The Senior Citizens Association will host a dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. The band playing is "Henry Pruitt." Bring finger foods for the break.
Lunch menus
Lunch is served at noon.
Thursday: Roast pork, scalloped potatoes, California blend veggies, peach crisp, whole wheat bread.
Friday: Ham and beans, confetti cottage cheese, Mandarin oranges, ranger cookie, corn bread.
Monday: Porcupine meatballs, buttered noodles, steamed cabbage, peach cup, whole wheat roll.
Tuesday: Sausage patties with pepper gravy, biscuit, tri-taters, mixed veggies, citrus fruit cup.
July 1: Baked fish, au gratin potatoes, green beans with bacon and onions, ambrosia fruit salad, whole wheat roll.
Visit the Senior Center Web site: www.seniorcenterfc.com.
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