Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1119004
| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | JUNE 2019 | 33 Question: All of the sudden I have been hearing about this DNA and Cancer Screenings being provided at senior centers or even in my home… what is this all about? A new trend is reappearing and it has to do with genetic testing/ DNA and cancer screenings. Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) has been informed by Center for Medicare Services (CMS) that representatives from genetic testing companies, or possibly insurance agents working on behalf of these companies, may ask to participate in an event of some sort, i.e. Health Fairs. For the protection the Medicare beneficiaries, SMP advises senior communities or anyone providing an event to seniors to decline these requests because of the potential for fraud. CMS has received inquiries from Medicare beneficiaries stating that they have been billed for genetic testing or cancer screenings performed at community events and senior centers. To our seniors who are Medicare beneficiaries please do the following: • Do not give out your Medicare number or social security number. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for your Medicare or social security numbers. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes. • Do not consent to any lab tests at senior centers, health fairs, or in your home. Be suspicious of anyone claiming that genetic tests and cancer screenings are at no cost to you. • Genetic tests and cancer screenings must be medically necessary and ordered by your doctor to be covered by Medicare. Random genetic testing and cancer screenings aren't covered by Medicare. If you are interested in the test, speak with your doctor. • Monitor your Medicare Summary Notice to see if there are any services you did not have or did not want but were billed for. Medicare Summary Notices are sent every three months if you get any services or medical supplies during that three-month period. • Call 1-800-MEDICARE or 1-800-HHS-TIPS if you think you're a victim of fraud. Also, please check out this link: https://www.bloomberg.com/ news/articles/2019-04-17/scam-dna-tests-may-be-new-target-for- health-fraud-states-warn. Or Call Senior Medicare Patrol Hotline at (855) 613-7080. Remember…you have the right to choose the hospice you want when the time comes. For any questions or a needs assessment please contact Jennifer Trebler-Partridge at (951) 663-1060. "Ask a Question"