WI AG takes on Medicare Part D scams

Attorney General PegLautenschlager and Helen Marks Dicks, Director of the Coalition ofWisconsin Aging Groups’ Elder Law Center has announced the creation ofa joint effort to combat the growing number of Medicare Part D scamsand coverage problems affecting seniors who have enrolled or who aretrying to enroll in the federal government’s new prescription drugprogram.

The joint effort, called Medicare D Watch, is astatewide project to uncover fraudulent practices and coverage problemswith the new Medicare Part D program and to help seniors who have beenhurt as a result.
“This new drug plan can be confusing, which couldmake Medicare beneficiaries vulnerable to exploitation,” Lautenschlagersaid. “The Wisconsin Department of Justice aggressively enforces thelaw against those who would exploit seniors – and we will be watchingthose who attempt to take advantage of the new system.”

Questionableactivities range from deceptive sales practices such as enrolling aMedicare beneficiary, without his or her knowledge, into a moreexpensive Medicare Advantage plan rather than a Medicare Part D plan toproblems resulting from Part D plans changing their formularies withoutnotice.

If seniors have experienced these or other problems withMedicare Part D enrollment or a particular Medicare Part D plan,Medicare D Watch wants to know about it.

“We strongly encouragefolks to call or e-mail Medicare D Watch,” said Helen Marks Dicks,Director of the Elder Law Center. “Using Medicare Part D to treat ourelderly citizens poorly is not just bad business; it could be againstthe law. Medicare beneficiaries have the right to be treated fairly-and we’re here to help.”

Read more at http://www.dunnconnect.com/articles/2006/03/27/variety/ourtime03.txt