Illinois SMP Fraud Alert logo
April 6, 2020
Georgia Man Arrested for COVID-19
and GeneticTesting Fraud
A Georgia man was arrested by the FBI on charges that he defrauded Medicare for COVID-19 and genetic testing. The man accepted kickbacks from medical testing companies by testing Medicare beneficiaries that did not need COVID-19 or genetic cancer screenings and charging Medicare for those expensive tests. Be aware of robocalls happening across the nation. Always hang up the phone and do not give out any information to anyone you do not know.

You can read the whole article from NBC News here.

We always recommend that you work with your doctor regarding any medical needs. If you need genetic testing or a COVID-19 test, your doctor can order it for you and talk about the results with you.

If you've received genetic testing or COVID-19 testing, paid for by Medicare NOT prescribed by your doctor or notice something suspicious on your MSN, please contact the Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol at AgeOptions at (800)699-6043.
Fight 2020 Census Rumors
By now, you should have received reminders to complete the 2020 Census online at  www.My2020Census.gov  or by phone at (844)330-2020 (English) or (844)468-2020 (Spanish). If you have not yet completed your Census, you will receive a paper questionnaire soon in the mail. If you are not receiving any Census mail, call the number above.

The Census is so important but as with any major government effort, there is bound to be misinformation. The Census Bureau has a special webpage dedicated to addressing these rumors: https://2020census.gov/en/news-events/rumors.html .

One such rumor is that stimulus checks from the government are tied to your Census response – but this is not true at all! Your response to the Census does not positively or negatively impact your ability to access government benefits. Read more here.

And if you see misinformation about the 2020 Census, report it to the Census Bureau at  rumors@census.gov .
Join Us for the Final Two SMP
Webinars in Our Series
During this time of crisis, the Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol is still devoted to giving our beneficiaries, partners, friends and family the most up to date information regarding the current Medicare Scams across the United States of America.

With many people working from home and practicing social distancing, therefore not being able to attend our outreach events in person, we wanted to create an innovative way to reach our communities.

Our first two webinars were a smashing success with attendance and feedback!

Join us this for the last two webinars starting this Thursday for FREE from 1:00 until 1:30 PM CT with a 30 minute Q & A to follow each presentation.

We encourage everyone to sign up for the last two webinars and share with anyone you know that would benefit from this important information! Below are registration links, dates, and descriptions for the final two webinars.

We hope you join us this Thursday and the next! Stay Safe!

Part 3. Types of Medicare Fraud  Thursday, April 9, 2020

We will discuss the different types of Medicare fraud, current trends we are seeing in 2020 and how scammers use different forms of communication to pull off their schemes. 

Register for Part 3  here.

Part 4. Tips to Help Prevent Medicare Fraud Thursday, April 16, 2020

We will go over what to look out for when dealing with fraudsters, tips to avoid getting scammed, signs you can identify if you feel like you are getting scammed and what to do if you do fall victim to one of these Medicare fraud schemes.

Register for Part 4  here.

For any questions regarding these webinars please reach out to me at  travis.trumitch@ageoptions.org and I will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours.
Have a safe and healthy week!

Travis Trumitch
travis.trumitch@ageoptions.org
Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you would like to sign up to receive the Fraud Alert directly, visit click here.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0036, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
The Illinois SMP at AgeOptions partners with agencies across the state to empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse through outreach, counseling, and education.

Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area and visit our website to sign up for our Fraud Alert email list.