On March 7, 2012, CMS introduced a redesigned claims and benefits notice for Medicare beneficiaries. The new notice, said CMS in a press release, is part of a broader consumer protection effort to make information about the program “clearer, more accessible, and easier for beneficiaries and their caregivers to understand.”

Notably, the notice contains a new “How to Report Fraud” section, instructing beneficiaries to report instances of suspected Medicare fraud. The notice lists the receipt of free medical services and billing for services not received as examples of fraud. The notice also explicitly advises beneficiaries that vigilance can pay off—tips that lead to “uncovering fraud” may result in financial rewards.