Willard, Box Elder County – An Anatomy Enthusiast’s Medicare Frustration

Linda Carlinsey describes herself as an anatomist, a title that seems fancy but really just means she enjoys puzzles. What she doesn’t enjoy, however, are the unexpected charges that recently showed up on her Medicare account.

“It really makes me mad,” Carlinsey expressed. “There’s no tolerance towards fraudsters.”

A medical supply company based in New York is trying to claim Medicare for supplies she never ordered. The initial amount was over $2,600 for a glucose monitor—something she’s never needed.

“I’m not diabetic, so it caught my attention,” she noted.

Fortunately, Medicare identified the fraudulent claim and rejected it. But just a few months later, the same company billed her for $8,200 worth of “scar dressing,” again for supplies she insists she didn’t order or receive.

“It was the first time I reported it and I thought it would be taken care of,” Carlinsey said, clearly frustrated. “But no.”

In this instance, Medicare actually paid the company $6,300, which left Carlinsey bewildered. She tried contacting Medicare for clarification, but received no response, prompting her to seek further investigation.

Previous Complaints

The company involved is Almaz Med Supply, located in Queens, New York. KSL investigators reached out for comments, but the company did not respond. According to the Better Business Bureau, there are numerous similar complaints regarding fraudulent claims against Almaz.

We approached Medicare for more information. Though they did not discuss Carlinsey’s specific case, they acknowledged the necessity of investigating fraud.

It’s worth noting that fraud costs Medicare around $60 billion annually. That’s a staggering number.

As for Carlinsey, she admitted that while she doesn’t always meticulously read her Medicare benefits statement, she certainly pays attention now.

“In the end, it comes out of my pocket. Everything about us,” she said, emphasizing the need for everyone to be vigilant.

How to Protect Yourself

Medicare officials recommend that patients take the time to go through each explanation of benefits. If anything seems amiss, it should be reported.

To report a Medicare scam, you can call 1-800-633-4227 or submit a report online to the Department of Health and Human Services. More resources on fraud protection are available on the Senior Medicare Patrol website.