Focus on Cardiovascular Genetic Test Scams February 2023
Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is celebrating the annual American Heart Month! February is always a great time of year to learn more about ways to keep your “ticker” healthy with healthy meals, exercise, and social interactions. You might even choose to have a conversation with your doctor about your family heart health history.
Doctors may rarely order genetic counseling, screens or testing to determine risks of certain heart conditions. When it is medically justified, Medicare usually covers these diagnostic services. However, like all new medical innovations scammers always find a way to get in on the money. The latest growing genetic testing fraud trend focuses on cardiovascular genetic testing for “free” or “no cost to you”.
Common cardiovascular genetic testing scams include “telemedicine calls” or people offering free tests at health fairs or farmer’s markets. Never give out personal information to anyone over the phone claiming that your cardiologist has requested the testing. Hang up; then call your doctor’s office to verify!
Carefully review your benefit statements. If you receive a genetic testing kit or test that was not medically necessary, report your concerns about billing errors or possible fraud to the Missouri SMP.
This fraud prevention information is brought to you by Missouri SMP. Our mission is to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to prevent, detect and report
healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse.
Call (888) 515-6565 to report suspected Medicare or Medicaid fraud, errors, or abuse.
This project was supported, in part, by grant number 90MPPG0040, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.