The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has alerted Senior65.com about a fraud scheme involving Medicare recipients and genetic testing.

Apparently scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries cheek swabs for genetic testing to obtain their Medicare information for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes. 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 may be sent even if it is not ordered by a physician or medically necessary.

Tips to avoid this Medicare fraud scheme

  • If a genetic testing kit is mailed to you, you shouldn’t accept it unless it was ordered by your physician. You should refuse the delivery or return it to the sender and keep a record of the sender’s name and the date you returned the items.
  • Be suspicious of anyone who offers 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 medical professional, your insurance company or your insurance agent requests your Medicare information, do not provide it.

This fraud alert update is provided as a service of Senior65.com. Senior65.com helps individuals research and enroll in supplemental Medicare insurance, Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D drug coverage. We never charge a fee for our services.