Senior Center News, May 3, 2019

North Central Senior Citizens Center, May 6-10

Monday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; bingo at 1:15 p.m.

Wednesday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m; TOPS at 8 a.m..; mall shopping from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Thursday — Transportation from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday — Medical transportation will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. but people must make a request at least 24 hours in advance.

March Menu by Earlene DeWinter

(Subject to Change)

Monday — Sloppy joes, tator tots, vegetable tray, cookies

Tuesday — Salad, baked ham, mashed potatoes with gravy, sunshine carrots, rolls, cake

Wednesday — Baked fish, rice pilaf, corn, baked donuts

Thursday — Chicken pasta casserole, salad, biscuits, dessert

Friday — Soup, salad bar, chef’s choice, dessert, milk

FRAUD ALERT: Nationwide Brace Scam and

Other Medical Equipment

A little headway has been made but it is going to take a long time to put these fraud cases together and see where they go. Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, along with our law enforcement partners, announced in April our efforts in dismantling one of the largest health care fraud schemes ever investigated in terms of amounts billed to Medicare. Scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries orthotic braces that are supposedly free to them and covered by Medicare. Fraudsters may:

1. Call beneficiaries directly to offer braces or

2. Use television or radio advertisement to encourage beneficiaries to order free braces by calling the phone number provided.

If a beneficiary has received unwanted or unneeded braces, and that equipment is billed to Medicare, then Medicare may deny a brace that the beneficiary needs in the future.

Protect yourself:

• If you receive a call from someone offering you a free brace that will be billed to Medicare, hang up immediately.

• If medical equipment is delivered to you, don’t accept it unless it was ordered by your physician. Refuse delivery or return it to the sender. Keep a record of the sender’s name and the date you returned the items.

• Be suspicious of anyone who offers you free medical equipment and then requests your Medicare number. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.

• A physician who you know and trust should approve any requests for equipment to address your medical needs.

• Medicare beneficiaries should be cautions of unsolicited requests for their Medicare Numbers. If anyone other than your physician’s office requests your Medicare information, do not provide it.