Linda Hennis was checking her Medicare statement in January when she noticed something strange: It said a company she had never heard of had been paid about $12,000 for sending her 2,000 urinary catheters.
But she had never needed, or received, any catheters.
The report used a federal database of Medicare claims that is available to researchers.
Doctors, state insurance departments and health care groups around the country said the spike in claims for catheters that were never delivered suggested a far-reaching Medicare scam.
“We think it’s outrageous,” said Clif Gaus, executive director of the group that conducted the analysis.
Persons:
Linda Hennis, Hennis, “, Ms, ”, Clif Gaus
Organizations:
Boutique, National Association of, Care
Locations:
Chicago, Texas