It's Medicare Fraud Prevention Week #MFPW and Randy Rodgers, who manages our Insurance Counseling Program, spoke with Steve Rappaport at 29News about the problem and what people can do about it.

"Medicare Fraud in the United States costs 60 billion dollars a year, and in the state of Virginia that 1.2 billion dollars that's lost." said Rodgers, "and it affects the individual who is on Medicare in terms of stress in their life, the time they have to use in combating this, even their health."

Rodgers said it's important to keep track of the health services you receive and read your Medicare statements carefully, looking out for mistakes and charges you don't recognize.

The Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol (1-800-938-8885) and counselors at JABA (434-817-5248) can also help you identify and report Medicare fraud.