Since 2022, catheter scams have been on the rise, and they’re reaching an all-time high across the U.S. An estimated $2.1 billion was lost to this scam in 2023—a staggering increase from $153 million in 2021. Let’s work together to stop this scam before more money is stolen!
A catheter scam happens when a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) supplier fraudulently bills your Medicare for catheters that you didn’t need—and your doctor didn’t order. These unauthorized charges show up on your Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB), often billing for hundreds of catheters costing thousands of dollars each month.
Because Medicare and Medigap may cover these charges, you might not see a bill—making it essential to review your Medicare statements regularly. You might even receive catheters in the mail that you never requested. Keep all supplies in their original packaging for reporting purposes. This helps authorities trace the scam’s source.
If you see catheter charges on your statements or receive unrequested supplies, call SMP Hawaii right away. SMP helps Medicare beneficiaries remove the charges, report the scammers, and sometimes replace compromised Medicare numbers.
Mahalo to SMP Texas for their contributions during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week.
This project was supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $320,449 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS or the U.S. Government.
Check your MSN or EOB for catheter charges. If neither you nor your doctor ordered them, you may be experiencing this scam. Receiving unrequested catheters by mail is another red flag that your Medicare number may be misused.
If you find catheter charges:
For the latest updates on Medicare scams, visit www.smphawaii.org
Report Medicare Fraud to our hotline: 1-800-296-9422
