Medical Equipment Scam Affects Parkton Woman

PARKTON, Md. – A local woman, Gail Barkley, found herself in a perplexing situation when she received medical equipment she never ordered. The items, including large braces for her knees, wrists, and back, arrived by mail, leaving her and her family puzzled.

“No, I won’t,” Barkley responded when asked if she had any knowledge about the braces that ended up in her home.

Her son, Steve, who lives nearby, attempted to reach out to the company for clarification. “Usually, if you don’t get an answer or leave a message, there’s no callback,” he noted, expressing frustration at the lack of communication.

It turns out that multiple companies had billed Medicare for devices that were not necessary. For instance, one company charged over $1,100 for the back brace, yet Medicare only reimbursed nearly $400. Oddly enough, similar braces are available on eBay for just $25.

“That’s the frustrating part – how did they get my mom’s Medicare information?” he asked.

Efforts to contact the business were met with challenges; most numbers led to fill voicemail boxes or no response. One company did return a call, claiming they had a recording of Gale agreeing to the order. They promised to send the recording but never followed through.

“My mother is very easygoing, and it’s disheartening to see people take advantage of her, especially older individuals who are so kind. I wonder how some of these people can sleep at night,” Steve remarked.

Julia Schreiber, a program manager with Maryland’s Senior Medicare Patrol, highlighted that scams involving medical equipment are increasingly common. “Durable medical devices, especially braces, are among the most frequent fraud schemes,” she explained.

The Senior Medicare Patrol is a nationwide initiative aimed at helping individuals report Medicare fraud and abuse. Schreiber emphasized the importance of monitoring Medicare statements, as many fraudulent charges can go unnoticed if someone isn’t checking regularly.

Recent investigations have uncovered significant Medicare fraud schemes, particularly involving telemarketers billing for braces, indicating that the system remains vulnerable.

“The more scammers exploit Medicare, the higher the costs for everyone,” Schreiber added, stressing that not reporting fraudulent claims can also lead to unexpected expenses for beneficiaries.

“In the future, if you actually do need a medical brace, Medicare might deny the claim because they believe you already received one,” she warned.

For protection, the Senior Medicare Patrol recommends treating your Medicare number like a credit card—keeping it private unless you are sure of who you are communicating with. Fraud can be reported to the Senior Medicare Patrol.

Schreiber also mentioned another troubling trend: scammers calling beneficiaries with offers for free genetic testing. Although they claim no out-of-pocket expenses, beneficiaries may later find they are billed through Medicare.

The Maryland Department of Aging offers some suggestions for beneficiaries to safeguard themselves:

• Keep records: Keep track of healthcare service dates, along with receipts and statements.
• Check claims: Compare the Medicare Summary Notice with your records to ensure all charges are accurate.
• Monitor online: Use Medicare.gov to verify claims anytime.
• Protect your number: Handle your Medicare number with care and avoid sharing it unless you trust the source.
• Decline unnecessary care: If something feels pressured or unneeded, seek a second opinion.
• Be skeptical: Recognize that “free” offers may not be genuine.

If you suspect fraud, you can call 1-800-Medicare or report issues online. For those with Medicare Advantage or Drug Plans, contacting the Medicare Drug Integrity Contractor is also an option.