Genetic testing has become very popular recently.It can be used for a variety of reasons, including helping consumers to avoid diseases or find the right medications.And it may not surprise you to learn scammers have found a way to take advantage of this.Scammers are targeting Medicare beneficiaries by offering “free” genetic testing to screen for just about any disease that exists and claiming the testing is covered by Medicare.The truth is that Medicare only covers genetic testing in limited situations and only when ordered by the beneficiary’s physician. If a company bills Medicare for genetic testing and Medicare denies the claim, the beneficiary could be responsible for the entire cost of the test. The average cost is between $9,000 and $11,000.In other cases, the scammers are simply trying to obtain Medicare numbers they can use to steal your medical identity to fraudulently bill Medicare for services they didn’t provide. Medical identity theft can disrupt your medical care.Protect yourselfHere’s how to avoid becoming a victim:Only have genetic testing if it’s ordered by your doctor. Even then, you should double-check with Medicare to make sure it’s covered.If you get a genetic testing kit in the mail that you didn’t order, don’t accept it.Always review your Medicare summary notices to see what services are being billed to Medicare in your name. If you detect anything unusual, report it to Medicare immediately.Watch the video above for the full story.
Genetic testing has become very popular recently.
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It can be used for a variety of reasons, including helping consumers to avoid diseases or find the right medications.
And it may not surprise you to learn scammers have found a way to take advantage of this.
Scammers are targeting Medicare beneficiaries by offering “free” genetic testing to screen for just about any disease that exists and claiming the testing is covered by Medicare.
The truth is that Medicare only covers genetic testing in limited situations and only when ordered by the beneficiary’s physician.
If a company bills Medicare for genetic testing and Medicare denies the claim, the beneficiary could be responsible for the entire cost of the test. The average cost is between $9,000 and $11,000.
In other cases, the scammers are simply trying to obtain Medicare numbers they can use to steal your medical identity to fraudulently bill Medicare for services they didn’t provide. Medical identity theft can disrupt your medical care.
Protect yourself
Here’s how to avoid becoming a victim:
- Only have genetic testing if it’s ordered by your doctor. Even then, you should double-check with Medicare to make sure it’s covered.
- If you get a genetic testing kit in the mail that you didn’t order, don’t accept it.
- Always review your Medicare summary notices to see what services are being billed to Medicare in your name. If you detect anything unusual, report it to Medicare immediately.
Watch the video above for the full story.
