KENNEBUNK — A Kennebunk woman wants people to be very wary when the phone rings and the caller says “your doctor prescribed” medical equipment.
Myra Sparkowich of Kennebunk said she received this box of medical equipment unsolicited after a series of telephone calls from people who knew her Medicare number. Tammy Wells photo
The equipment arrived at the home of Myra Sparkowich this summer.
She said she didn’t order it, and doesn’t want it, and the equipment — a back brace and two arm braces — are of no use to her. The pieces remain in the original clear plastic packaging.
“I didn’t ask them to send it,” she said.
Sparkowich, who retired several years ago from her job as a federal budget analyst, is upset that the callers are now billing Medicare for the equipment that arrived unsolicited.
“I’m concerned the federal government is paying for something that was never ordered and the taxpayers are going to pay for that,” she said.
She said she wants people to know that this sort of thing is happening, and to beware.
“I received telephone calls day-in and day-out” throughout the summer, said Sparkowich. She said the callers knew her doctor’s name and other personal details, and said her red, white, and blue-colored Medicare card “was no good,” and that they would send her another. Sparkowich said she knew that was not true — but she also believes her Medicare number has been compromised as a result of the situation and is in the process of getting a new one.
She hung up on the callers, she said, but they kept contacting her, until her son had a conversation with them.
It is a scenario Kennebunk Police Department ‘s elder crimes officer Candice Simeoni has heard before.
“I am proud of her for reaching out,” said Simeoni. “We have to stay vigilant and work together to help our communities recognize (these scams).”
Simeoni said that for every one scam reported nationally, 24 go unreported.
While scammers spin a variety of stories to those they call, Simeoni said Sparkowich’s situation is similar to one outlined by a commenter on a March AARP article about Medicare fraud.
“Someone called and offered me braces,” the commenter said. “They had my Medicare number! I did not give it to them, and I would never give my number to anyone over the phone … how they got my Medicare number, I do not understand.”
According to the AARP article, in December 2021, the owners of two Texas durable medical equipment companies were sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for their roles in a kickback conspiracy to generate false claims that federal prosecutors said cost Medicare $27 million. The case, the AARP article went on to say, was part of a federal crackdown in 2019 that resulted in 24 arrests and Medicare losses of more than $1.2 billion.
According to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in 2020, Medicare estimated the improper payment rate was 6.27 percent, representing $25.74 billion. That is down from 7.25 percent, representing $28.91 billion in improper payments in fiscal year 2019. While fraud and abuse are improper payments, CMS noted that most improper payments are not attributable to fraud, and improper payment estimates are not fraud rate estimates.
Senator Susan Collins is the former chair and ranking member of the Aging Committee and held 25 hearings on fraud schemes during her tenure. She said progress has been made, but the efforts to crack down on fraudsters must continue.
“Raising awareness among seniors about how to identify and stop these schemes is critical to safeguarding Medicare and reducing overall health care costs,” said Collins in a statement. “Seniors can help prevent Medicare fraud and identity theft by closely guarding their Medicare card and Social Security number. Anyone who suspects Medicare fraud should report it immediately by contacting 1-800-MEDICARE. In addition, my staff at my six Maine offices stand ready to assist seniors who believe they have been scammed.”
While Sparkowich said she had not received a bill herself in connection with the medical equipment delivery, scammers abound. In general terms, Simeoni said it is as important for consumers to monitor their credit reports as it is to monitor credit card and bank statements.
“When something doesn’t seem right, protecting yourself is so important,” Simeoni said.
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