Take caution if a provider tells you any of the following:

The test is free; he only needs your Medicare number for his records. NOTE: For clinical laboratory tests, there is no co-payment and a provider may in good faith state that the test is free, since there is not cost to the person with Medicare.

Medicare wants you to have the item or service.

They know how to get Medicare to pay for it.

The more tests they provide the cheaper they are.

The equipment or service is free; it won't cost you anything.

Suspicious Activities:

Charge co-payments on clinical laboratory tests, and on Medicare covered preventive services such as PAP smears, prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests, or flu and pneumonia shots.

Routinely waive co-payments on any services, other than those previously mentioned, without checking your ability to pay.

Advertise "free" consultations to People with Medicare.

Claim they represent Medicare.

Use pressure or scare tactics to sell you high priced medical services or diagnostic tests.

Bill Medicare for services you did not receive.

Use telemarketing and door-to-door selling as marketing tools.