The
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is
alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving genetic testing.
Genetic
testing fraud occurs when Medicare is billed for a test or screening that was
not medically necessary and/or was not ordered by a Medicare beneficiary's
treating physician.
Scammers
are offering Medicare beneficiaries "free" screenings or cheek swabs
for genetic testing to obtain their Medicare information for identity theft or
fraudulent billing purposes. Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries through
telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and door-to-door
visits.
Beneficiaries
who agree to genetic testing or verify personal or Medicare information may
receive a cheek swab, an in-person screening or a testing kit in the mail, even
if it is not ordered by a physician or medically necessary.
If
Medicare denies the claim, the beneficiary could be responsible for the entire
cost of the test, which could be thousands of dollars.
Protect
Yourself
- If
a genetic testing kit is mailed to you, don't accept it unless it was
ordered by your physician. 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. If your personal information is
compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.
- A
physician that you know and trust should assess your condition and approve
any requests for genetic testing.
- Medicare
beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their
Medicare numbers. If anyone other than your physician's office requests
your Medicare information, do not provide it.
- If
you suspect Medicare fraud, contact
the HHS OIG Hotline.
Related
Material: Senior Medicare Patrol's Information on Genetic Testing
Fraud
Last
updated: August 13, 2019
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