FRANKFORT, Ky. — Following reports from Kentuckians, Attorney General Andy Beshear has issued a scam alert to warn of medical billing scams targeting families.
Louisville residents have reported a suspicious van driving around paying Medicaid participants $20 for a DNA sample and health insurance information, while other senior Kentuckians are receiving calls offering medical devices through Medicare. One Warren County senior reported $1,300 in medical bills for back braces that were not medically necessary.
Beshear said in both scenarios scammers try to steal the victim’s insurance and personal information to receive reimbursement for services or medical devices that were not provided or medically necessary.
“Scammers are exploiting Kentuckians’ medical needs in an attempt to take in illegal profits,” said Beshear. “Kentuckians should rely on the advice of their primary care physicians – not someone who is calling them by phone or driving by in an unmarked vehicle.”
Beshear’s office has recently received complaints related to medical scams in Ballard, Breckinridge, Clark, Fayette, Hardin, Jefferson, Jessamine, Lee, Letcher, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Perry, Pulaski, Shelby and Warren counties.
Kentuckians who may have provided their Medicaid information to a suspicious person or company are encouraged to call the Office of the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Hotline at 877-228-7384. Beshear’s office stands ready to review any potentially fraudulent Medicaid billing claims.
Kentuckians who inadvertently responded to scammers offering medical devices or tests should also notify Medicare and/or Medicaid, or the appropriate health insurance provider, immediately, continually review statements and dispute inaccurate billings.
To help avoid medical billing scams, Beshear’s office recommends Kentuckians avoid responding to unexpected solicitors targeting only Medicaid or Medicare patients and always ask what doctor and provider ordered the test or device.
Beshear said anyone victimized by a scam can file a complaint with his office online.
Beshear has made protecting Kentucky families from fraud, abuse and scams top priorities for his office.
Efforts by Beshear’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse through civil settlements and criminal restitution have resulted in returning nearly $88 million in obligations to the state and federal Medicaid program, Medicare, Tricare, commercial payers and other entities.
Over the past three years, the office’s work has contributed to 58 convictions for Medicaid provider fraud or patient abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The Office of Senior Protection and Mediation works to help families avoid scams and recover when they fall victim.
Over the past three and a half years, the office has returned more than $2.1 million to Kentucky families – roughly $2,600 returned per day.
Kentuckians can stay ahead of scammers by signing up to receive Scam Alerts from the Office of the Attorney General. To join, text the words KYOAG Scam to GOV-311 (468-311) or online.