The short answer
Two common Medicare fraud schemes involve offers of free genetic testing and free durable medical equipment like braces. Scammers, often through calls, booths, or ads, offer these items at no cost in exchange for your Medicare number, then bill Medicare for expensive tests or equipment you did not need, sometimes without ever providing them. This is fraud that can also leave errors on your record and, in the case of unnecessary genetic tests, may not be covered, leaving you responsible. The defense is never giving your Medicare number for unsolicited free offers.
So free genetic testing and DME offers are often fraud schemes to steal your Medicare number and bill for unneeded items.
How the schemes work
A scammer contacts you or sets up at a health fair, offering a free cheek-swab genetic test or a free back or knee brace, and asks for your Medicare number to bill it. They then charge Medicare for costly services or equipment that may be medically unnecessary and sometimes never delivered. Genuine genetic testing is ordered by your own doctor based on medical need, not offered by a stranger. Our guide to how to report Medicare fraud covers what to do if you encounter this.
The scheme trades a free item for your Medicare number, then bills Medicare for unnecessary or undelivered services.
How to protect yourself
Never give your Medicare number to anyone offering free genetic tests, braces, or other equipment out of the blue, and be suspicious of booths, calls, or ads promoting free items that require your Medicare number. Only get tests and equipment ordered by your own trusted doctor. Review your Medicare statements for charges you do not recognize, and report suspicious activity. Our scam awareness center covers these schemes. This is educational information.
The takeaway: never share your Medicare number for unsolicited free genetic tests or equipment, use only what your own doctor orders, and review your statements for fraud.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do genetic testing and DME Medicare scams work?
Scammers offer free genetic tests or equipment like braces in exchange for your Medicare number, then bill Medicare for expensive, often unnecessary or undelivered services, sometimes leaving you responsible.
Is free genetic testing through Medicare legitimate?
Genuine genetic testing is ordered by your own doctor based on medical need, not offered by a stranger at a booth or over the phone. Unsolicited free-test offers requiring your Medicare number are a red flag.
How do I protect myself from these Medicare scams?
Never give your Medicare number for unsolicited free tests or equipment, use only what your own doctor orders, review your Medicare statements for unrecognized charges, and report suspicious activity.
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