Advocates warn of scams involving Medicare rebates

INDIANAPOLIS

Advocates for senior citizens are reminding people on Medicare that they don't have to do anything to receive a $250 rebate check if they hit the gap in prescription drug coverage.

The Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging says scammers in other states are asking seniors for personal information such as Social Security or Medicare numbers.

Senior Medicare Patrol program director Tamra Simpson says seniors should never give away that information and that no application forms are needed for the rebate checks.

Seniors don't have to apply for the new benefit, since their eligibility will be automatically determined by their Medicare prescription drug plan and the government.

Some four million seniors and disabled people will get checks this year.