The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has put out an alert about a genetic testing fraud scheme.
Medicare beneficiaries are being targeted in telemarketing calls, door-to-door and at nursing homes and offered free DNA testing to screen for cancer and other diseases. Their personal information (date of birth, Medicare number) is then being used to scam Medicare into paying for expensive and unnecessary testing.
How can you protect yourself from this scam?
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 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 Health and Human Services OIG Hotline.
