'Tis the season for Medicare fraud.

With just a few days left for seniors to make changes in their Medicare coverage, U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan visited Landis Homes to warn residents that scam artists might be even more on the prowl for victims.

"Identity theft is a reality we're dealing with," Meehan told a full house of seniors Thursday at Landis Homes' West Bethany Chapel. "As we get to these closing days, we want people to be mindful not to become fraud or scam victims."

Meehan said he has made health care fraud a priority in his office, reaching more than $1 billion in settlements with those who overcharged and cheated seniors and others for medical care and services.

Thursday, he had advice to help seniors avoid scams as they proceed through the maze of choosing supplemental health plans.

Meehan used the example of Richard Gutherie, a 92-year-old decorated Army veteran who was bilked out of $167,000 by telemarketing scam artists. Persistent friendly callers to Gutherie's Iowa home talked him into giving them his personal information, which was then used to empty his bank accounts via electronic drafts.

"(Gutherie) didn't have much outside contact after his wife died, so he loved getting the phone calls," Meehan said. "He didn't recognize the telemarketers as selling him goods. In his mind, he wasn't agreeing to anything, but they said he verbally authorized (electronic drafts) for payment for goods and services."

Gutherie recently died penniless, but Payment Processing Center, the company that scammed him, was eventually shut down.

Meehan said avoiding Medicare scams is mostly a matter of common sense.

Most importantly, Meehan said, don't offer anyone you don't know and trust your personal information — your Social Security number, credit card numbers, bank information — anything that identifies you.

"Legitimate prescription plans won't ask you for that information unless you've chosen their program and decided to pay for it," Meehan said.

Also, no health care plan offered in conjunction with Medicare charges an application or sign-up fee — if they say they do, they're frauds. The plans also may not be solicited door to door.

"If they come to your door, it's a scam," he said. "That's another case in which we'd like you to get their identifying information, close the door and call authorities to report them."

Meehan said scam artists also get victims to act by telling them they will lose Medicare benefits if they don't join a plan by a certain date, which is not true.

Meehan said all Medicare documents display an approved seal. If it's not there, it's probably a scam. He said seniors should think about what a caller is telling them — if a caller says he's telephoning from the Social Security Administration and asks for a Social Security number, he's "fishing."

"Think about that logically: Why would someone from the Social Security Administration be calling and asking for your Social Security number?" he said.

Thursday, Nancy O'Connor, regional administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, offered several venues for seniors who need help navigating the last days of the open enrollment period, which runs annually from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31.

O'Connor encouraged people to use Medicare's toll-free number, (800) MEDICARE, to reach staff who can help 24 hours a day, or visit Medicare's Web site at Medicare.gov. The site features tools to help seniors narrow their search of 60-plus prescription plans available to Pennsylvanians by typing in names of medications they use.

O'Connor also suggested seniors on limited income apply to the Social Security Administration for Extra Help, a program that chips in up to $3,300 a year for prescription costs. The program benefits are based on income, but O'Connor said recipients may own a car and home, and everyone should apply to see if they are eligible.

Extra Help has no enrollment deadline. For more information, call (800) 772-1213 or visit SSA.gov and enter the key words "Extra Help."

In addition, O'Connor suggested seniors make use of the local Senior Medicare Patrol, a group of volunteers trained to help seniors protect themselves from fraud. SMP offers seniors help in resolving billing disputes; recognizing overcharges and other hidden charges paid out on their behalf; and making referrals to health care agencies, police and other authorities in suspected fraud cases.

To reach SMP, call (866) 357-6677.

For one-on-one telephone counseling regarding Medicare eligibility benefits, supplemental insurance, HMOs and long-term care insurance, call APPRISE at (800) 783-7067.

Jacqueline Burch, executive director of Lancaster County Office of Aging, said unbiased help also is available right here in the county.

"The good news is you have a local agency, an ally, and trained staff who are standing by ready to help," Burch said.

One-on-one consultation is available to help seniors pare down their choice of health care plans.

The staff also can give seniors information on PACE and PACENET, two prescription plans available for seniors on limited incomes.

For more information on any senior programs or for help finding help, call the Lancaster County Office of Aging at 299-7979 or stop in the office at 150 N. Queen St.

E-mail: slindt@lnpnews.com