The Oklahoma Insurance Department has launched a renewed public awareness campaign aimed at helping Medicare beneficiaries identify and prevent healthcare fraud during this year’s Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, as officials warn that fraudulent activity continues to place significant financial and personal strain on the healthcare system.
Observed annually during the week containing June 5 — symbolising the age at which many Americans first become eligible for Medicare — the awareness initiative will run from 1 June to 5 June and is being coordinated through the department’s Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP).
According to programme officials, Medicare fraud is estimated to cost the system around $60 billion annually, with consequences extending beyond financial losses to include identity theft, administrative stress, and potential health risks for beneficiaries.
“Medicare fraud has a devastating impact on both beneficiaries and the Medicare program,” Director of the MAP division 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.”
The campaign reflects growing concern among healthcare authorities over increasingly sophisticated scams targeting older Americans, particularly through unsolicited medical products, misleading advertising, and identity-related fraud.
As part of the initiative, officials are encouraging beneficiaries to regularly review their insurance statements to ensure that listed products and services accurately match the care they received. Authorities say monitoring statements remains one of the most effective methods for identifying suspicious billing activity early.
The department also highlighted the role families and caregivers can play in preventing fraud. Officials warned that some beneficiaries may receive medical equipment — including items such as knee braces — that were never approved by a physician or requested by the patient.
Caregivers are being advised to treat Medicare numbers with the same level of security as financial information and credit card details. The programme is also encouraging families to help beneficiaries establish online Medicare accounts so they can review claims and statements electronically, while also ensuring mailed statements are opened and checked promptly.
Additional recommendations include registering telephone numbers on “do not call” lists and opting out of unsolicited mail campaigns often associated with scam activity.
The initiative further calls on healthcare professionals to play a more active role in patient education surrounding fraud risks. Providers are being encouraged to discuss healthcare-related scams directly with patients, particularly schemes involving durable medical equipment and genetic testing offers.
Officials stressed that medical products and services should only be prescribed by physicians with whom patients have an established relationship and warned against ordering healthcare products promoted through unsolicited calls or television advertisements.
Community organisations and local residents are also being encouraged to participate in awareness efforts by supporting older neighbours and sharing information about emerging scams. Authorities noted that unusual financial activity, including large gift card purchases by elderly individuals, can sometimes indicate exploitation or fraud attempts.
The Senior Medicare Patrol programme will continue providing support services designed to help beneficiaries recognise and report suspicious activity. The organisation assists individuals with concerns related to potential fraud, billing errors, and abuse within the Medicare system while also delivering educational presentations and public information sessions.
Programme officials said fraud prevention depends heavily on public awareness and early reporting, particularly as scammers increasingly target older adults through multiple communication channels, including mail, telephone calls, and online advertising.
To coincide with Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, MAP will also host a special edition of its Medicare Mondays webinar series on 1 June, focusing specifically on fraud prevention strategies and consumer protection measures.
The webinar is expected to provide guidance on identifying warning signs, protecting personal information, and understanding how to report suspected fraudulent activity.
Healthcare fraud prevention remains a growing priority for public agencies across the United States as authorities continue working to reduce financial losses within Medicare while protecting vulnerable beneficiaries from increasingly complex scams.
