As the deadline approaches for picking a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, Medicare recipients are reminded to protect their medical billing information like they would their bank accounts.

The Kansas Department on Aging’s Senior Medicare Patrol has received reports that Medicare beneficiaries are receiving phone calls from people offering free diabetic supplies. According to reports, the caller tells the Medicare recipient that all the company needs to send the free supplies is the person’s Medicare number.

The scammer then bills Medicare for the diabetic supplies through several companies. And sometimes the Medicare number is sold to other scammers, who also bill Medicare for services.

In the end, Medicare picks up the tab for the scam.

“It is certainly something we have seen an increase of in the last couple of years. It’s not anything new,” said Sara Arif, spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Aging.

Arif urged Medicare clients to review their Medicare statements carefully and to report any suspicious activity or unusual charges.

Here are tips to protect Medicare information:

• Treat your Medicare info as you would your credit card or bank account information. Don’t give it out to anyone you don’t completely trust.

• Medicare and Medicaid don’t sell or endorse any products. If someone calls or visits your home on behalf of Medicare or Medicaid, they are lying and can not be trusted. Hang up the phone or shut the door.

• Medicare and Medicaid don’t sell or endorse any products. If someone calls or visits your home on behalf of Medicare or Medicaid, they are lying and can not be trusted. Hang up the phone or shut the door.

• Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and banks will not call you by phone and ask for your account number. They already have your information.

• Be suspicious of anyone offering “free” medical services.

• If you suspect Medicare or Medicaid fraud, errors, abuse or scams, contact the Kansas Department of Aging Senior Medicare Patrol hotline at 1-800-860-5260.

• Douglas County Senior Services offers help for those navigating through choosing Medicare Part D plans. For more information, call 842-0543.