How Medicare Patients Were Pulled Into an Orthotic Brace Scheme
By The Lumoset Team Published on July 28, 2026
Some Medicare scams do not start with a bill. They start with a phone call. A caller offers a free brace, medical test, or new benefit, then asks for Medicare information.
In 2026, HHS OIG reported that Joel Rufus French, a former NFL player and owner of a marketing company, was convicted for his role in a scheme that billed Medicare and CHAMPVA nearly $200 million. According to the government, overseas call centers pressured elderly Americans to provide personal and insurance information and agree to orthotic braces that were medically unnecessary. Some patients had Alzheimer’s or dementia, and in some cases call recordings were altered to make it seem patients had agreed.
This is why “free medical equipment” calls are dangerous. The victim may not lose cash at the register, but their Medicare number can be used to bill the government, create false medical records, and expose private health information.
The Lesson
5 Things You Can Learn From the Medicare Brace Scheme
- Free medical equipment can be bait. Scammers may use a brace, test, or kit to get insurance information.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
- Do not give Medicare numbers to unexpected callers.
- Ask your own doctor if equipment is truly needed.
- A real benefit does not require a surprise call. Medicare does not need a cold caller to “activate” coverage.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE yourself with questions.
- Use Medicare.gov instead of links or numbers from callers.
- Medical identity theft can hurt later. False bills and false records can affect future care.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
- Read Medicare Summary Notices.
- Report services or equipment you did not receive.
- Caregivers should watch for pressure. People with memory problems can be targeted.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
- Help loved ones review mail and Medicare notices.
- Set a family rule that health calls get verified first.
- Consent should be clear. Altered or confusing calls are not normal health care.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
- Ask for written information from a known provider.
- Stop calls that rush, confuse, or scare you.
The safest health habit is simple: protect your Medicare number like a bank number. Share it only with trusted providers and plans you contacted through a real path.
Sources & References
HHS Office of Inspector General, Former NFL Player Convicted for $197M Medicare Fraud Federal Trade Commission, Spot Health Insurance Scams Medicare.gov, How to protect yourself from Medicare fraud
Keep learning with Lumoset’s free course, Getting Care Online – Level 3: Protecting Health Accounts and Medical Information. Read More Real Scam Stories. Sign up for free scam-safety updates at lumoset.org.
Image credit: oh.tinkerer (CC BY 2.0).