Endocrine Insider
June 25, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reporting a scam in which perpetrators send faxes to physician offices posing as a Medicare carrier or Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).  The fax instructs physician staff to respond to a questionnaire by providing an update of account information within 48 hours in order to prevent a gap in Medicare payments.  The fax may have the CMS logo and/or the contractor logo to enhance the appearance of authenticity.
 
Medicare Fee-for-Service providers, including physicians and non-physician practitioners, should be wary of this type of request and should verify any requests with their contractor before submitting any information.  Medicare providers should send information to a Medicare contractor using only the address found in the download section of the CMS website. To view the website, please click here.