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According to consumer reports, a New York-based company appears to be part of a Medicare fraud scheme. Consumers have told the Better Business Bureau Metro NY that an alleged medical supply company, G&I Ortho Supply Inc., charges large sums of money to their Medicare accounts for catheters they never ordered. G&I Ortho Supply Inc. currently has an F rating with the BBB® Serving Metropolitan New York.
“BBB had never had a single complaint about this company until last summer when we saw a notable spike in scam reports, so we investigated,” said Claire Rosenzweig, President & CEO of the Metro New York BBB. “We commend those diligent consumers who checked their monthly Medicare statements and told us what was going on. Consumers are urged to pay attention to who is billing your health insurance. Everyone pays when health insurers and the federal government are defrauded.”
G&I Ortho Supply Inc. is a company that claims to be based in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn and, according to their state corporate registration, they began operating in February 2021. The corporate registration record shows a change of ownership through an agent in March 2023, but the new owner’s name is not disclosed. G&I Ortho Supply Inc. first came to BBB’s attention in July of 2023 when several consumers filed reports on BBB Scam TrackerSM.
After BBB continued to receive regular reports on BBB’s Scam Tracker tool, an alert was added to the BBB Business Profile to warn consumers. As of this date, there are 63 Scam Tracker reports on G&I Ortho Supply. The first formal complaint from a consumer about the company was filed with BBB in October of 2023.
So far, seven consumers have filed complaints with BBB alleging that the company has charged their Medicare account for medical supplies they did not order and do not need. The company has never responded to BBB’s many attempts to reach out to resolve the concerns. BBB Metro New York is continuing to investigate G&I Ortho Supply and the implications of this suspected Medicare scheme.
As of 2/14/2024, BBB Metro New York has exhausted all forms of written contact to this business. Postal mail communications have been returned by USPS, and an email address could not be located. It is unclear whether the company is currently in operation. Consumers with outstanding concerns regarding G&I Ortho Supply may choose to file a complaint with a consumer protection agency such as the Federal Trade Commission, New York Attorney General's office, and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Inspector General and/or to consult qualified legal counsel.
Consumers are urged to check their Medicare statements carefully and report any fraudulent orders or suspicious charges to Medicare.gov (click on “Basics” and then “Report Fraud”).
Consumers can visit BBB.org to submit complaints and reviews, check out a business, learn more about scams, and find additional consumer tips. Additionally, consumers can report scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
