Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is warning Medicaid recipients to be suspicious of unexpected callers or visitors who offer COVID-19 assessments, tests or supplies.
Across the country, Schmitt said, there are cases being reported of persons using COVID-19 to lure Medicaid recipients into telling them personal details such as their date of birth, Social Security number and Medicaid number.
Those scammers use this information to fraudulently bill Medicaid for services the Medicaid recipient will not receive, are illegitimate or are medically unnecessary, Schmitt said.
Schmitt is urging Medicaid recipients to follow these guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
Recipients should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their personal information, including their Medicaid number.
Recipients should be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies.
Recipients should ignore social media sites offering or advertising COVID-19 testing or treatments.
Schmitt said only a physician you know or other trusted health care provider should assess your condition and approve any requests for COVID-19 testing.
Those who believe they may have experienced COVID-19 fraud are urged to call the Missouri Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 800-286-3932.