BBB offices in Florida are starting to receive reports of the latest scam.  Genetic testing scams are popping up across the country, offering Medicare beneficiaries cheek swabs for genetic testing through telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and door-to-door visits. The scammers claim this is at no cost to consumers and attempt to obtain their Medicare information for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes.  This same scam can also be carried out through kits delivered straight to your home through the mail. These fraudsters will usually take cheek swabs and collect Medicare numbers and personal information for billing purposes and may even give gift cards or other giveaways in exchange for your participation.

BBB’s Scam Tracker received a recent report of two gentleman dressed in “Scrubs” wearing name badges knocking on doors in Pinellas County, FL.  They were claiming to be from a company that did Medicare-covered cancer screening offering a mouth swab.  The men collected her Medicare number, secondary insurance information, social security number and a picture of her Driver’s License only to never provide the results or return calls.

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 beneficiary’s treating physician.  Floridians could be responsible for the entire cost of the test if Medicare denies the Genetic Test Claim. 

While genetic testing is a legitimate service, it is not always covered by Medicare.  Fraudulent genetic testing can lead to medical identity theft, a lack of access to medical care and/or equipment, a compromised Medicare number, and in some instances a bill for thousands of dollars, because Medicare doesn’t cover certain types of genetic tests.   Consumers should always consult with their primary care giver before agreeing to tests not initiated directly by them.

 

BBB Offers the following Tips on How to Avoid Healthcare Scams:

- Do not give out your personal information to someone who has solicitated you.  Be suspicious of anyone who requests your Medicare number. If anyone other than your physician's office requests your Medicare information, do not provide it. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.

- Never Consent to any lab tests at senior centers, health fairs, or in your home.  Be suspicious of anyone claiming that genetic tests and cancer screening are “free” or “covered by Medicare.”  If a product or test is truly “free,” you will not have to provide your Medicare number.

- If you need genetic testing, always work with your doctor.  Medicare only covers DNA or genetic tests that are medically necessary and ordered by your primary physician.

- Monitor your Medicare Summary Notice to see if there are any services you did not receive (or if you were billed for services that you can’t identify).  People have been stuck with big bills when their insurance plan reviewed the claim and decided the test was not medically necessary.

- Research any business and its owners carefully.  Check the company’s BBB Business Profile at bbb.org.

- Do not trust a name or phone number.  Con artist often use official-sounding names or mask their area codes to make you trust them.  Medicare will never call you to confirm your personal information, your Medicare number, or ask questions about your personal health.

- Make sure to verify their credentials before you allow them to assist you.  Just because someone is dressed like a healthcare professional, it doesn’t mean they are qualified to practice medicine.

 

If you think you are a victim of this scam, be sure to take steps including contacting Medicare at 1-800-Medicare, Local Law Enforcement and directly to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

Help your Better Business Bureau stay ahead of this latest scam and help warn others by reporting this activity to BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker. 

 

For More Information

Read more about healthcare scams at BBB.org/healthcarescam. In the United States, learn more about how to protect yourself from Medicare fraud at Medicare.gov.

If you’ve fallen victim to this type of health insurance scam, you can help others avoid being scammed by filing a report with BBB.org/ScamTracker. Learn more about other scams and how to avoid them at BBB.org/scamtips. 

Learn about new scams by subscribing to BBB's weekly Scam Alert emails.