Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is warning the public about a fraud involving obtaining a cheek swab to conduct genetic testing. Just say NO!!!
The Oregon Department of Justice has received reports of fraudsters targeting Medicare beneficiaries through telemarketing calls, booths at public events, health fairs, and door-to-door visits. These scammers offer cheek swabs for genetic testing in order to obtain their victims’ Medicare information to steal their identity or for fraudulent billing purposes. The scammers falsely promise that Medicare will pay for the test; some may even ask for your doctor’s name, implying they will send the results to your doctor. Unfortunately, when you turn over this information you may be giving the bad guys your health plan or Medicare number, and they can now bill Medicare thousands of dollars for medically unnecessary tests or even services that you never received. They also end up with personal genetic information about you regarding your health.
This is FRAUD!!! Medicare fraud.
Before you agree to genetic testing, be sure the test is: (1) ordered by your doctor, (2) medically necessary, and (3) covered by your plan. In addition, never give out your Social Security, Medicare or health plan numbers or banking information to someone you don’t know.
If you think you have been a victim of Medicare fraud, contact the DHS Fraud Hotline online at https://tinyurl.com/y2shcu8o or by phone at 1-888-372-8301.
If you think you have fallen victim to another type of fraud, contact the Oregon Department of Justice online at www.oregonconsumer.gov or call 1-877-877-9392.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice-July 18, 2019