Welcome Advantage MD Members

Protect Yourself From the Flu and COVID-19 This Season

Getting the flu vaccine this year will be more important than ever. The flu is an infection that can cause fever, cough, body aches, and other symptoms. Getting the influenza vaccine (flu shot) can help you avoid the flu. The flu shot can also help keep you from becoming severely ill if you do get the flu. The best time to get the flu shot is early in the flu season (September or October). There will be plenty of flu vaccines available.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the flu

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is expected to continue to spread during flu season. COVID-19 and the flu have similar symptoms, but are caused by different viruses. The flu vaccine will not protect you against COVID-19, but it can protect you from getting the flu and against major flu complications. That immune system protection is critical, especially if you contract COVID-19. To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, continue to stay 6 feet away from others, wear a mask in public, and wash your hands often. Getting your flu vaccine also enables you to protect others, including babies under 6 months, people allergic to the vaccine, and anyone else who cannot get the flu shot.

You cannot get the flu from a flu vaccine: in fact, getting the vaccine every year is your best protection against the flu. A flu vaccine contains pieces of dead flu viruses which help your body arm itself against the actual flu. Some people have mild symptoms for a day or two after getting the flu shot, but the real flu is much worse. Learn more about COVID-19 and the flu.

The flu vaccine and administration costs are covered under your Advantage MD Part B medical benefit. Part B vaccines are available from your provider’s office or a network pharmacy. Show the pharmacist your Advantage MD card to receive these vaccinations at no cost to you.

LifeStation Medical Alert System

Advantage MD has added a new Plan Perk for members. We have secured a discount on the LifeStation medical alert system that provides fast response times in an emergency. Learn more about LifeStation and how to use this Perk.

June 2020 Newsletter

Stay heart-healthy, fly high with good diabetes control and understand the “Donut Hole” gap: We cover all this and more in our interactive June 2020 newsletter edition.

March 2020 Newsletter

When should you go to the Emergency Room, prevent falls with mindful movement and feeling blue can make your COPD worse: We cover all this and more in our interactive March 2020 newsletter edition.

OIG COVID-19 Fraud Alert

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Individuals are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, the services are unapproved and illegitimate.

Individuals are targeting beneficiaries in a number of ways, including telemarketing calls, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits. These individuals use the coronavirus pandemic to benefit themselves, and beneficiaries face potential harms. The personal information collected can be used to fraudulently bill Federal health care programs and commit medical identity theft.

Protect Yourself

Advantage MD Plan Members should:

• Be cautious of unsolicited requests for their Medicare, other insurance, Social Security numbers, banking or credit card information.
• Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies.
• Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites.
• Have a physician or other trusted healthcare provider assess your condition and approve any requests for COVID-19 testing.

If you believe your Advantage MD Plan information has been compromised or that you were a victim of suspected fraud, please contact the Advantage MD Medicare Compliance Department using one of the following methods listed below:

Phone: Local 410-762-1575 or Toll free 1-844-697-4071
Fax: 410-762-1502
Email: MedicareCompliance@jhhc.com
Hotline: 1-844-SPEAK2US (1-844-773-2528)
Mail: Johns Hopkins Advantage MD Medicare Compliance Department
7231 Parkway Drive, Suite 100
Hanover, MD 21076

If you suspect COVID-19 fraud, the OIG requests that you contact National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline 866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov

Genetic Testing Scam

Unfortunately, every so often scammers target Medicare beneficiaries. They claim to offer services in order to get members’ Medicare information to use for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes.

One such scam is offering cheek swabs for genetic testing. If you agree to this or verify your personal or Medicare information, they will send you a testing kit even if it is not ordered by your provider or medically necessary.

To protect yourself from this scam:

• A health care provider who you know and trust should approve any requests for genetic testing.
• If you get a genetic testing kit in the mail, do not accept it unless your health care provider ordered it. Refuse the delivery or return it to the sender. Keep a record of the sender’s name and the date you returned the items.
• Be suspicious of anyone who offers you free genetic testing and then requests your Medicare number. Do not give them any personal information—they could use it for other fraud schemes.

To stay safe from all scams, guard all your personal information including your plan member ID number. Johns Hopkins Advantage MD will not ask you for your Social Security Number or your Medicare ID number before discussing your Advantage MD account with you. (We will ask for other identifiers, such as your address or date of birth.) If anyone other than your provider’s office requests your Medicare information, do not give it to them.

For more information about this scam: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General