The Missouri Department of Social Services is warning Missourians of a genetic testing scheme.

They warn that there are marketers who offering free genetic testing to those on Medicare or Medicaid. These offers are usually given in order to gain access to an individual’s Medicare or Medicaid information for purposes of identity theft or fraud.

The tests are often offered by people who appear to be health care professionals and suggest the test as a way of knowing if one is susceptible to one of many diseases.

The Department of Social Services encourages people not to share Medicaid or Medicare information with anyone except their physician.

The Department also recommends the following:

• Refuse delivery or return a genetic testing kit mailed to you unless your physician ordered it.  Record the sender’s name and the date returned.
• Be suspicious of free genetic testing offers and requests for your Medicare or Medicaid number. Your personal information could be used in other fraud schemes.
• Your physician should approve any requests for genetic testing
• Always keep your Medicare and Medicaid card numbers safe and share only with your physician.
• The Missouri Attorney General’s Office works every day to protect Missourians from scams and fraud. If you believe that you’ve been a victim of a scam, please call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222 or submit a complaint online at http://ago.mo.gov.  Additionally, claims of Medicaid fraud can be submitted to the Attorney General’s Office by calling (800) 286-3932.
• If you suspect Medicare fraud, contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General Hotline.