The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has issued a fraud alert to the public about a current scam involving genetic testing.
Scammers are offering cheek swabs for genetic testing to Medicare beneficiaries. The purpose it to obtain their Medicare information for fraudulent billing purposes or identity theft. Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries through telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and door-to-door visits.
If a beneficiary agrees to genetic testing or verifies personal or Medicare information, a testing kit is sent even if it is not ordered by a physician or medically necessary. This is illegal.
Protect Yourself!
Be suspicious of anyone who offers you free genetic testing and requests your Medicare number. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.
Your primary care physician is required by law to provide written orders for any genetic testing. It must be deemed medically necessary.
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 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.
Medicare is never going to call you or come to your house.
If you suspect Medicare fraud, contact Aging & Disability Resource Center at (954) 745-9567 and ask for a SHINE SMP counselor. You can also file a complaint directly with the Office of Inspector General online at https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/
