Richard McGinn of Dripping Springs, Texas, was surprised when he received a package of COVID-19 tests in the mail that he had never ordered. Intrigued, he decided to save the tests and ended up accumulating over 50 boxes of at-home COVID-19 tests from different laboratories across the country. Similarly, Suzann Madeley of Austin, Texas, received numerous unwanted tests, some of which were already expired. Both individuals were troubled by the fact that Medicare was paying for these tests. McGinn shared a statement from Medicare showing a bill of $200 for a box of tests, of which Medicare paid $94.08. Madeley also received statements from Medicare with similar charges. Concerned by the cost to taxpayers, Madeley expressed her frustration with the situation. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) confirmed that Medicare covered up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month, at no cost to beneficiaries, starting from April 2022 until the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency in May 2023. However, CMS emphasized that patients must request these tests and that the number of complaints received about unsolicited tests is small but currently being investigated. CMS is also working with law enforcement to address health care fraud schemes related to COVID-19, including the shipment of unsolicited tests. In April, the Department of Justice announced criminal charges against individuals involved in such fraud schemes, which caused over $8.4 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare. Both McGinn and Madeley suspect that someone has their Medicare information, potentially putting them at risk for identity theft. Madeley has been reporting each shipment of unwanted tests to Medicare. CMS advises individuals who receive unsolicited tests to report it to Medicare and to guard their Medicare number, treating it with the same caution as their Social Security and credit card numbers. They should only share it with trusted health care providers and promptly report any suspicious activity or fraudulent charges. Consumers can also report suspected fraud by contacting the Health & Human Services fraud hotline. If anyone suspects COVID-19 related healthcare fraud, they are encouraged to report it immediately online or by phone.
Central Texans receive unwanted and expired COVID-19 tests via mail
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