Consumers, including Medicare beneficiaries, advised to be on alert
BOSTON, Oct. 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Blue Cross) is cautioning members to be vigilant, as scams offering free durable medical equipment (DME) and pharmacy products are on the rise.
“While these types of scams have been around for years, the uptick in telemedicine usage during the COVID-19 pandemic is causing a resurgence in fraud,” said Jennifer Stewart, senior director for fraud investigation and prevention at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.
Medicare beneficiaries and patients who’ve had a recent injury or surgery are often targeted by scammers. In many cases, the perpetrators solicit physicians to sign off on unnecessary orders or prescriptions, such as back braces or pain cream, which are then improperly billed to a patient’s health insurer.
Avoiding Fraud
Medical equipment and pharmacy products that are not properly prescribed to patients are potentially dangerous, said Stewart. In fact, some may not even be authorized by the FDA.
“Members should treat their medical information like their credit card number and if they’re unsure, they should call their clinician to confirm if a service or product is necessary,” Stewart noted. She also recommends reviewing medical statements carefully to ensure accuracy and reporting any discrepancies.
For Clinicians and Health Plans
Clinicians should encourage patients to report any…
