CIGNA issued a provider enrollment fraud alert Jan. 14 warning physician practices about an organized group that calls providers claiming to be either a Medicare fraud investigator or a Medicare employee from the enrollment, claims or audit units. These callers tell the physician or office personnel that the Medicare computer system has malfunctioned or that the physician's provider record needs to be updated.

The callers proceed to request a faxed copy of the physician's driver's license, social security number, practice address, unique physician identification number and even his or her medical license.