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Feds crack Medicare gene test fraud that peddled cheek swabs

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Associated Press
Published: September 27, 2019, 9:19am
2 Photos
Linda Morris looks over her Medicare statements, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in Parker City, Ind. Federal law enforcement officials say they've taken down a nearly-$2 billion Medicare fraud scheme that exploited curiosity about genetic medicine by having seniors get their cheeks swabbed for unneeded DNA tests.  A Medicare enrollee, Morris said she was roped in at a conference on aging well. The retired high school math and journalism teacher got her cheek swabbed by one of the many health vendors at the event.
Linda Morris looks over her Medicare statements, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019, in Parker City, Ind. Federal law enforcement officials say they've taken down a nearly-$2 billion Medicare fraud scheme that exploited curiosity about genetic medicine by having seniors get their cheeks swabbed for unneeded DNA tests. A Medicare enrollee, Morris said she was roped in at a conference on aging well. The retired high school math and journalism teacher got her cheek swabbed by one of the many health vendors at the event. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Photo Gallery

WASHINGTON — Federal agents took down an alleged Medicare scam Friday that exploited seniors’ curiosity about genetic medicine by enticing them to get their cheeks swabbed for unneeded DNA tests. Medicare was billed $2.1 billion.

Dubbed “Operation Double Helix,” the crackdown targeted telemedicine companies, doctors and labs, in a joint effort by the Justice Department , the FBI, U.S.

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