Cassidy seeks federal protections for Medicare recipients

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) this week made a bipartisan push to protect Medicare recipients from criminals offering fake genetic test screening deals.

“Scammers are deceiving Medicare beneficiaries and inducing them to receive genetic test screenings covered by Medicare Part B,” Sen. Cassidy wrote in an Aug. 12 letter sent to Attorney General William Barr and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar. 

Joining Sen. Cassidy in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), who said the fake offerings result “in potentially compromised personal health information and the American taxpayer paying for unnecessary tests ranging in average price from $6,000 to $9,000, and up to $25,000,” according to their letter, which cited figures released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) at HHS.

“As U.S. senators it is our duty and obligation to serve the people of our states and the federal taxpayer,” wrote Sen. Cassidy and his colleagues. “This duty includes protecting seniors from predatory fraud, protecting the integrity of the Medicare program, and ensuring that taxpayer funds are spent appropriately.”

The Administration for Community Living is currently warning seniors about the genetic testing scams, according to their letter, which noted that the OIG on Aug. 13 also issued an updated public fraud alert about them.

“While these are positive steps towards rectifying the problem,” Sen. Cassidy and his colleagues wrote, “we have questions we would like your departments to provide us with additional information.”

Among several questions, the lawmakers asked Azar and Barr to explain how the fraudsters are circumventing the Medicare statute and regulations, which dictate that such genetic tests not be covered by Medicare unless ordered by the beneficiary’s treating or attending physician and deemed medically reasonable and necessary.

“The alleged reports of fraudulent activity place the program in a compromised state and we are confident your departments will take the appropriate steps to correct the issue,” wrote Sen. Cassidy and his fellow Senate members.