Nevada Senior Medicare Patrol Warning Residents of Genetics Testing Scam

The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services announced that Nevada Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Director Kim Harney-Moore is alerting residents about a genetics testing company scam, reports Fox5Vegas . The department warned representatives of the company offer "free" genetics tests to Medicare beneficiaries, also called DNA screenings, cancer screenings, or hereditary testing. The firm claims the results will help recipients avoid diseases or find the right drugs via a cheek swab test and the person's Medicare number. Meanwhile, the U.S. Office of the Inspector General has issued a fraud alert recommending the public watch for anyone who offers free genetic tests and requests Medicare numbers. The Nevada department stated that company representatives go door-to-door or visit senior communities, senior housing, veterans events, health fairs, and other gathering places to persuade people to let them take a cheek swab. "These companies can steal people's medical identity and falsely bill Medicare, draining the system of needed funds," Kim Harney-Moore said. "Tests ordered under these circumstances are unnecessary and could lead to confusion about someone's health condition."