12 News Investigates: Thousands in taxpayer money spent on catheters no one wants [Video]

If the old adage “time is money” is true, then let the Medicare statements stacked on Barb Vandenberg’s kitchen table be the proof.”It upsets me every time I see it,” she said looking at the statements.Twice, almost to the day, Medicare paid almost $3,000 for two catheters Vandenberg never wanted and never used.”Looking at the amounts, that could pay someone’s premium for at least a year,” she said.Kevin Underwood is in the same situation, Medicare paid more than $3,400 for four catheters on his behalf.”I’m wondering what Medicare needs to do to be able to catch some of this fraud when your supplemental insurance catches it right away,” he said. Underwood’s supplemental insurance did not pay the fraudulent bill.But here’s where the time equals the money. Underwood did not receive a statement saying Medicare paid thousands for catheters until nine months later.”Medicare is basically asking you to catch fraud when …