Scam Targets Seniors By Offering Free Medical Equipment

Since the beginning of 2019, the Better Bureau of Business (BBB) has recorded over 200 complaints concerning a scam offering free medical equipment to seniors.

Reports claim that the scam is a phone call claiming that the listener has received a free back or knee brace covered by Medicare. The scammer will claim to either represent Medicare or be the maker of the durable medical equipment (DME). They will say you qualify, and even if you refuse they will call continuously until you relent and agree to them submitting the order to your doctor. Sometimes even if you say no they will ship the brace anyway, or there will be no phone call and it will just show up on your doorstep and the bill is sent to Medicare. Consumers report that once it is received, the equipment is often difficult to return.

According to law, it is considered Medicare Fraud to make unsolicited phone calls, or send unwanted emails, to consumers concerning durable medical equipment unless you have done business with them in the last 15 months. For any unwanted products, taxpayers are the ones who end up footing the bill. Medicare fraud has cost American taxpayers more than $60 billion, with a significant amount of this attributed to DME scams.

In order to protect yourself from scams and fraud, follow these simple tips:

If you receive any phone call durable medical equipment, just hang up.
Never sign a blank document or form from your health care provider or DME supplier.
Read the Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to look for charges for any equipment you are not receiving or do not need/want.
Keep cards and documents, such as Social Security card, Medicare and Medicaid cards, etc. in safe places. Do not carry them with you unless needed, and put back in a safe place immediately after being used.
Report any call or email offering free services or equipment to the Medicare fraud hotline: 800-633-4227 (800-MEDICARE)
Inform your doctor about the attempted scam.