From: county.evps@enews.ama-assn.org [mailto:county.evps@enews.ama-assn.org]
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 4:15 PM
Subject: SCAM ALERT-CMS has become aware of a scam targeting physician offices

CMS has asked that we help spread this message, please pass along to your members...

Scam Alert

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has become aware of a scam where perpetrators are sending faxes to physician offices posing as the Medicare carrier or Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).  The fax instructs physician staff to respond to a questionnaire to provide an account information update 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 FFS providers, including physicians, non-physician practitioners, should be wary of this type of request.  If you receive a request for information in the manner described above, please check with your contractor before submitting any information.  Medicare providers should only send information to a Medicare contractor using the address found in the download section of the CMS.gov website found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNGenInfo/ or http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll .