LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska authorities are warning people about a possible scam involving DNA cheek swabs for cancer checks.

The Nebraska Insurance Department says it’s gotten several reports about groups going to senior centers and assisted-living facilities and offering to swab the inside of face cheeks to obtain DNA samples. The department says Medicare does not cover genetic testing for noncancer patients and that people should avoid such services because they likely are scams.

Insurance Department Director Bruce Ramge says the department concerns are that Medicare dollars may have been spent fraudulently on noncovered services and that people who were swabbed may be billed for services that Medicare won’t cover.

People who think they might have encountered the swab groups are encouraged to call the department’s Consumer Affairs Division at 402-471-0888.

Sign up for Daily Newsletters Manage Newsletters

Copyright © 2020 The Washington Times, LLC.