Medical Labs on Wheels--Often Scam Artists' Enterprises

--Here are the Nuts and Bolts of how the "Rolling Medical Labs" Operate, Often for the Benefit of Scam Artists

Step right up. It's free, free, free--do you hear? Free.

This is the kind of carnival barker pitch you will often get as the "Rolling Medical Lab" sets up for business in the parking lot of your mall, health club, church, or retirement home.

While the sponsoring institution is cited as the one upon whose premises the lab tests out of these trailers are taking place, often, said institution is only half aware of what's going on. They were assured that the lab's income would be derived from the various health products that would be sold to the testees, plus referral commissions procured for steering them through the proper medical channels.

Half the story. Many of these providers are nothing more than the next Ronald McDonald of the Fast Fraud Set.

The untold half is billing the insurer for services never rendered by changing bills, or by submitting fake ones.

How do the scam artists do it?

All victims are treated as if they are getting old, when everything dries up or leaks. The older you get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for. The scam artists know this and make it easy for you.

Then...

Medical tests hastily performed, rapid removal of wheel levelers, pullout of the trailer from the parking lot. Poof! Gone! On to the next town to round up a new bunch of suckers.

Are all of these traveling Med shows con jobs put on by scam artists?

No. Some are legit.

How can you tell?

It's tough. All you can do is grill people from the sponsoring institution and gage for yourself how deep their knowledge of practices and background runs. Chances are, not deep. But, you might get lucky. As the old saw goes: Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then.

Plus, take these protective steps:

1) Never sign blank insurance forms.

2) Never give blanket authorization to a medical provider to bill for services rendered.

3) Be very clear--right up front--on any charges and what you will be expected to pay out-of-pocket.

The scam artist ideology prevails: Neither borrower nor lender be; theft increases your assets while avoiding all taxes.

There are 293 ways to make change for a dollar. Scam artists know every one of them..

When it comes to rolling medical labs, don't let yourself get short-changed.