08/22/2026
🚨 A new federal watchdog report says durable medical equipment remains a major vulnerability in Medicare. The HHS Office of Inspector General says criminals continue to exploit Medicare’s payment system through medically unnecessary or fraudulent equipment claims. DME fraud can involve braces, catheters and other medical equipment billed to the program. The watchdog says stronger data analysis, oversight and coordination are needed to identify suspicious claims and protect taxpayer funds.