After learning from two local residents that they recently received convincing calls about “free” back and knee braces, it seemed like a good time to point out that scammers are at work in our area.

Here’s what you should know:

- The caller ID on one resident’s phone showed that the call was coming from a well-known local medical facility.

But it wasn’t!

This is known as “spoofing.” Scammers are able to change the name displayed on the phone to any number they wish so their pitch is more convincing. And, because the homeowner’s phone identified the call as coming from a local hospital, it was believable.

- The caller was pleasant and explained that she was calling to offer durable medical equipment (DME) that was “free” because Medicare had already approved it.

But it’s not free!

Medicare does cover the cost of DME, but only if your doctor prescribed it for you.

As the Medicare website explains: “Part B covers DME when your doctor or other health care provider (like a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical nurse specialist) prescribes it for you to use in your home.”

So, if your physician has not authorized a prescription for items like arm, leg, back and neck braces and you receive a call claiming that it has been “pre-approved,” hang up.

- The caller is persistent, in one case telling the resident that she should agree to receive knee braces because she might need them in the future, even though the resident explained that she didn’t need the braces.

- The caller asks for the resident’s date of birth and the number on his or her Medicare card. While seniors are well aware not to give their social security numbers to strangers, giving a Medicare card number to someone calling about medical equipment and identified on caller ID as a local medical facility can seem completely legitimate.

But it’s not from a medical facility, it’s not approved by Medicare and it’s not free!

- Because the fraudulent charges are billed to your Medicare account, they may limit future benefits you are able to receive. It’s important for all Medicare recipients to carefully check your quarterly statements for any charges for services or equipment not prescribed by your own doctor.

- If you receive DME that was not prescribed by your doctor or if you see charges that are suspicious on your quarterly Medicare statement, call the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit:

https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse

And with Medicare recently announcing that information about 612,000 people was exposed in a data breach, it’s likely that more of us will be targets for this type of fraud in the near future.  

Here’s how the scammers profit:

According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, the scheme involves paying “... illegal kickbacks and bribes by DME companies in exchange for the referral of Medicare beneficiaries by medical professionals working with fraudulent telemedicine companies for back, shoulder, wrist and knee braces that are medically unnecessary.”

“The defendants allegedly paid doctors to prescribe DME either without any patient interaction or with only a brief telephonic conversation with patients they had never met or seen. The proceeds of the fraudulent scheme were allegedly laundered through international shell corporations and used to purchase exotic automobiles, yachts and luxury real estate in the United States and abroad,”  the DOJ report states.

Medicare and Medicaid fraud costs taxpayers $100 billion each year, according to estimates from the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association.

For those who need durable medical equipment, the Community Center in the Meadow Mall offers donated walkers, crutches, commodes, shower chairs and other medical equipment at no charge. Call the Center at 633-9876 to borrow or donate equipment.