[8] October 14, 2011
www.kirklandreporter.com
...dollars & $ense
& COMPANY LLC
537020
FINANCIAL, FORENSIC AND FRAUD SERVICES
9757 ne juanita drive #123 kirkland, washington 98034 425-891-8752 | www.bgco-llc.com
YOU RIGHTFULLY EARNED IT. NOW RIGHTFULLY KEEP IT. Looking to keep more of your income and cut your taxes? Then tax-free municipal bonds* may be for you. *Bonds may be subject to state, local or the alternative minimum tax.
Call or visit your local financial advisor today. Sarah R Taylor, AAMS® Financial Advisor
963 6th St S Kirkland, WA 98033 425-828-9087 535081
most $48 billion is estimated to be improper. Improper payments can be due to fraud, waste or abuse. These numbers are staggering. Examples of healthcare fraud include: Billing for services not provided; billing for unnecessary services or equipment; counterfeit prescription drugs; and used equipment sold as new. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself: 1) Keep a record of your medical activities by date, service received, equipment provided, tests run, etc. 2) Ask questions. If uncomfortable asking, have an advocate, such as a family member, help you. 3) Review your Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits. Do they match your records? Steve Geertz
Medicare is the nation’s largest health insurance
program. It covers over 40 million people and makes payments of about $500 billion per year, of which, al-
COMMENTARY
Medicare fraud
www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC
Steve Geertz, CPA, is principal of BG & Company LLC in Kirkland. Contact him at 425-891-8752 or steve.geertz@bgco-llc.com. more story online… kirklandreporter.com