Saturday
September 28, 2019 T: 582-7800 | F: 582-7044 www.arubatoday.com
Celebrating International Coffee Day Page 13
Aruba’s ONLY English newspaper
In this photo provided by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General, federal agents from the HHS Office of Inspector General prepare for operations targeting individuals allegedly involved in genetic testing fraud in the Atlanta region, Friday morning, Sept. 27, 2019. Associated Press
Feds crack Medicare gene test fraud that peddled cheek swabs By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal agents took down an alleged Medicare fraud scheme Friday that exploited seniors’ curiosity about
genetic medicine by enticing them to get their cheeks swabbed for unneeded DNA tests. Medicare was billed about $2 billion. Dubbed “Operation Double Helix,” the crackdown targeted telemar-
keting companies, doctors and labs, in a joint effort by the FBI, U.S. attorneys’ offices, and the Health and Human Services inspector general. More than 30 people were charged around the country.
The alleged scam flourished at a time when many people are getting DNA tests to trace back their family heritage. Continued on Page 3