• This deadly crime is hard to spot but can have devastating consequences.

• Most heathcare workers and services are legitimate. However, some unscrupulous doctors repeatedly prescribe pain killers solely for profit and with little regard for their patient’s well-being. Bogus addiction clinics can deliver little or no effective treatment but make big bucks in the process.

• One of the ways these fraudsters make money is by filing false insurance claims.

• Check your doctor’s credentials.

• Before seeking medical treatment, contact the New York State board for medicine for information on physicians.

• If you are taking opioids, take them exactly as prescribed by your doctor, ideally, for the shortest amount of time possible.

• Never share your medication with others.

• Explore non-opioid options with your doctor.

• Learn more about the risks of opioid use from the CDC.

• If you have unused or expired pain medications, take them to a DEA-approved take back site for disposal.

Most important of all, don’t commit insurance fraud and if you see it happening, report it.

And finally, pass our information along to everyone you know.