More people are reaching out to the 11 News I-Team after its report about fraudulent charges to their Medicare accounts related to unwanted COVID-19 tests.As the I-Team reported on Tuesday, people are receiving COVID-19 tests in the mail that they said they never ordered. And when they check with Medicare, they learn that Medicare has paid for all of the tests.Roger Gossett and another 11 News viewer told the I-Team they received a combined 66 boxes of COVID-19 tests they did not order or approve. Then, they found out that Medicare paid more than $6,200 for all those tests. And, while they’re not paying for them directly, it’s all taxpayer dollars. Elouise Mayne is the chief of client and community services for the Maryland Department of Aging. She is also the leader of Maryland’s Senior Medicare Patrol program, which works with federal and local partners to identify and report fraud and abuse. She said Gossett and Joan’s stories sound all too familiar.| LINK: Maryland Senior Medicare Patrol”Any time someone is able to take advantage of an individual or the system, they will,” Mayne said. “So, Medicare is aware, and they are investigating. What we try to do is educate the consumers, let them know (to) never give out their information, never give out their Medicare or Medicaid numbers,” Mayne said.Mayne said there were 40 complaints statewide about this issue, but that was as of last week.After the I-Team’s report aired on Tuesday, 11 News viewers reached out to say they were also victims of the scam but hadn’t even realized it until they saw the report. They said they checked their Medicare statements and saw their accounts were billed for COVID-19 tests that never even arrived.The Maryland Senior Medicare Patrol program also educates people to protect their Medicare numbers and other identifying information. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud or abuse, you can call 410-767-1100. Have you received COVID-19 tests in the mail that you didn’t order? If so, email the I-Team at 11Investigates@wbaltv.com.| VIDEO BELOW: Fraudulent fees charged to Medicare over unwanted COVID-19 tests
More people are reaching out to the 11 News I-Team after its report about fraudulent charges to their Medicare accounts related to unwanted COVID-19 tests.
As the I-Team reported on Tuesday, people are receiving COVID-19 tests in the mail that they said they never ordered. And when they check with Medicare, they learn that Medicare has paid for all of the tests.
Roger Gossett and another 11 News viewer told the I-Team they received a combined 66 boxes of COVID-19 tests they did not order or approve. Then, they found out that Medicare paid more than $6,200 for all those tests. And, while they’re not paying for them directly, it’s all taxpayer dollars.
Elouise Mayne is the chief of client and community services for the Maryland Department of Aging. She is also the leader of Maryland’s Senior Medicare Patrol program, which works with federal and local partners to identify and report fraud and abuse. She said Gossett and Joan’s stories sound all too familiar.
| LINK: Maryland Senior Medicare Patrol
“Any time someone is able to take advantage of an individual or the system, they will,” Mayne said. “So, Medicare is aware, and they are investigating. What we try to do is educate the consumers, let them know (to) never give out their information, never give out their Medicare or Medicaid numbers,” Mayne said.
Mayne said there were 40 complaints statewide about this issue, but that was as of last week.
After the I-Team’s report aired on Tuesday, 11 News viewers reached out to say they were also victims of the scam but hadn’t even realized it until they saw the report. They said they checked their Medicare statements and saw their accounts were billed for COVID-19 tests that never even arrived.
The Maryland Senior Medicare Patrol program also educates people to protect their Medicare numbers and other identifying information. If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud or abuse, you can call 410-767-1100.
Have you received COVID-19 tests in the mail that you didn’t order? If so, email the I-Team at 11Investigates@wbaltv.com.
| VIDEO BELOW: Fraudulent fees charged to Medicare over unwanted COVID-19 tests
