Shelley Polansky
The recent growth in popularity of DNA testing, as it has become cheap enough to use for reasons other than specialized medical testing, has also led to an explosion of DNA testing scams.
The fraud starts with scammers first gathering large amounts of DNA samples. They might do this at events frequented by seniors, such as health fairs, flea markets, or antique shops. They go door-to-door, especially in locations where seniors are more likely to live, like low-income housing developments and retirement communities. Or they target seniors on Facebook. They may claim to be working for insurance companies or even Medicare itself, and sometimes offer incentives like gift cards or free food.
The scammer then turns around and bills Medicare for the test. Medicare pays an average of $6,000 to $9,000 for most genetic testing depending on the type of test, with some tests worth up to $25,000. The scammers often work with an unscrupulous doctor who signs off on the medical necessity of the test without examining the patient. The victim of the scam often never receives the results of the tests, which commonly claim to test for a genetic disposition to certain cancers or to side effects from medications.
The risk to seniors is three-fold. First, they can find themselves on the hook for thousands of dollars if Medicare refuses to pay for the test. Second, in addition to their DNA, victims also provide a great deal of personal information including their Medicare number and family medical history, which exposes them to identity theft. Finally, they could find themselves accused of being part of the scheme to defraud Medicare.
To avoid this scam, seniors should not respond to any unsolicited attempt to get a DNA sample. If someone is interested in genetic testing, they should discuss the tests with their primary care doctor first. If you suspect someone is involved in Medicare fraud, you should contact either your state’s Senior Medicare Patrol or the Medicare Office of the Inspector General at 1-(800) HHS-TIPS (447-8477).
~ Shelley Polansky, VP Communications, BBB Serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming