OIG issues fraud alert to beneficiaries over diabetes scams

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (OIG) issued a fraud alert last week, warning beneficiaries about criminals who target people with diabetes.

The OIG reported there are variations of the diabetes scam, but it generally involves a call from someone claiming to be from the government, a diabetes association or Medicare. The caller offers “free” diabetic supplies, such as glucose meters, diabetic test strips or lancets.

The caller may also offer other supplies such as heating pads, lift seats, foot orthotics or joint braces, in exchange for the beneficiaries’ Medicare or financial information, or confirmation of this type of personal information. Beneficiaries may then receive items in the mail that they didn’t order.

If beneficiaries receive such a call, the OIG recommends the following actions:

• Refuse to provide a Medicare number or other personal information. There are no “free” diabetes supplies—they are still billed to Medicare.
• Report the call to the HHS Office of Inspector General Hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or online at www.OIG.HHS.gov/fraud/hotline.  Provide the name, telephone and address of the company that called, and a summary of the conversation.
• Check your Medicare Summary Notice and other medical information to see if you were charged for items you did not order or did not receive. Check for items that were billed multiple times.
• Refuse delivery and/or return to the sender items not ordered. Keep a record of the sender’s name and the date returned.