Scam Alert - "Medcare" Home Annual Wellness Visits Misleading

 Medicare recipients and seniors may be receiving calls or mail from "Medcare" with an address of P.O. Box 4503 Chicago, Il. saying they are "providing at-home Annual Wellness Visits at no cost to you..." They tell seniors to call (888) 200-0000 or scan a CRcode. 

"This Annual Wellness Visit will be completed from home at absolutely no cost to you," they say.  The letter we received is not signed and does not give any other information about who they are.

While a wellness visit may be at no cost to Medicare Part B recipients, the letter may be highly misleading as they don't disclose this is not an actual visit to your home by a professional healthcare provider. It is a visit by phone or online to their office.

It appears "Medcare" sells telehealth products to customers, and presumably the at home wellness visit is via a computer or phone.

Their website, which is not disclosed on the letter says, "MedCare provides access to preventive telehealth, wellness, and related care-support services through digital tools, communications, and coordinated service workflows."

Also, "When covered by Medicare, telehealth services may be available at $0 out-of-pocket cost for eligible individuals, depending on coverage and provider."

A Google search for their phone number shows Medcare, a "medical clinic" with an address at 425 W Colonial Dr #303, Orlando, FL. The Orlando company posts, ""MedCare is a self-pay telehealth practice serving Florida residents. We offer GLP-1 weight loss programs (semaglutide & tirzepatide), same-day urgent care visits, and general health visits — all online."

A search on the Florida Secretary of State records indicate GENERATIONAL HEALING SANCTUARY LLC is at that Orlando address and the name Mike Ceas. It is not clear how or if that company is associated with "Medcare." 

We could find no active corporate registration for "Medcare" on the Secretary of State records other than a fictious name filing for "Medcare" owned by MEDCARE CONSULTING, 4048 EVANS AVE, FORTMYERS, FL 33901

Advice and what to look out for:

A "Medcare" or "Medicare" wellness visit letter from Chicago, IL is highly likely an unsolicited phishing scam to get more info from you and sell you some products. If it is a scam, they may impersonate healthcare providers or government officials and attempt to steal your personal information or bill Medicare/insurance for "phantom" services. We don't know if "Medcare" is doing this, but be careful.

How Medicare Scams Work

The Pitch: Scammers call, text, or email claiming you need a mandatory "annual wellness visit" to maintain your Medicare benefits or qualify for "newly approved" benefits.
The Goal: They may ask you to confirm your Medicare number, Social Security number, or banking details to process the visit.
The Reality: Medicare does not make cold calls to require or schedule wellness checks. Legitimate wellness visits are only scheduled directly with your primary care physician. 

Immediate Action Steps

If you suspect you have been targeted by any scam, take the following steps:

Phone Calls - Hang Up Immediately: Do not provide any personal, medical, or financial information to unknown callers.

Review Your Statements: Carefully check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to ensure fraudulent claims haven't already been filed in your name.

Report any Fraud: Contact the official Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can also report suspected fraud to the Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center.

"Medcare":

"Medcare" websites: https://medcare.org/privacy-policy/ and https://medcare.org/about-us/ and https://medcare.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-medicare-annual-wellness-visits/

Emergency Readiness Event For Seniors Aug. 29

NAPLES, Fla. — Collier County residents age 55 and older are invited to the 3rd Annual Day of Service Emergency Readiness Summit. This free event is dedicated to strengthening community resilience and honoring first responders and civilians who serve during crises.

The summit takes place on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. The event is hosted by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with AmeriCorps, 9/11 Day, Collier County, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

This grant-funded event offers practical emergency preparedness education, community resources, and opportunities to learn directly from public safety experts. Keynote speaker Lewis Merletti, former Director of the U.S. Secret Service, will share leadership insights drawn from his distinguished career managing critical security operations.

Breakfast, lunch, and a complimentary Emergency Readiness Resource Kit are included. Attendees can choose from ten different classes to fill their three expert-led breakout sessions.

“This summit empowers our community through education while honoring those who serve and protect Collier County,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “Preparedness saves lives, and every resident can benefit from knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency.”

Event At-A-Glance:What: 3rd Annual Day of Service Emergency Readiness Summit
When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
Where: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Who: Collier County residents age 55 and older
Cost: Free (grant funded)
Parking: Complimentary valet parking (self-parking is not available)

Registration Information:
Residents must register in advance online at colliercountyers.eventbrite.com.

Yasire Azcuy Alfonso Arrested On Multiple Felony Charges

MAN ARRESTED ON MULTIPLE FELONY CHARGES OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

CLEWISTON, FL. -- The man that has been running from Law Enforcement since Friday afternoon, was taken into custody Monday evening, July 13, 2026, at approximately 7:45pm after law enforcement conducted a traffic stop.

The man identified as, 34-year-old, Yasire Azcuy Alfonso, has been on the run since Friday afternoon after the victim contacted Hendry County Sheriff’s Office reporting being battered by Azcuy Alfonso.

The victim reported that Azcuy Alfonso had repeatedly beaten the victim in the face and threatened to kill them with a knife while brandishing a firearm. He also threatened the minor children living in the residence, leading the victim to believe he would kill them as well.

Azcuy Alfonso continued his acts of abuse throughout the day on Friday and holding the victim against their will. During the afternoon hours of Friday, the victim was finally able to convenience Azcuy Alfonso to allow them to leave the residence. As the victim was leaving the residence, they saw Azcuy Alfonso following them on a four-wheeler. The suspect continued to follow the victim until he saw the victim make contact with a passing law enforcement vehicle.

During the past weekend Deputies continued to search for the suspect until taking him into custody Monday evening, at approximately 7:45pm.

Azcuy Alfonso is being held in the Hendry County Jail on charges of Robbery Sudden Snatching with Firearm/Weapon, Kidnap-False Imprisonment, Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and Aggravated Battery with Intent to Commit a Felony. Azcuy Alfonso is being with with no bond.

Know Your Candidate Part 3 - Hendry County Judge

From Jill E. Cabai, candidate for Hendry County Judge. biography on the Hendry County Election office website:

"In 2016, I opened my own law practice in Hendry County, becoming a small business owner in the very community I serve. Through my practice in criminal defense and family law, I have continued working directly with local families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. As both an attorney and a small business owner, I understand the real-world challenges facing working families and local businesses in our community. I am a current member and former Vice President of the Hendry/Glades County Bar Association.

"My commitment to Hendry County extends beyond the courtroom. I serve on the Board of the Greater LaBelle Chamber of Commerce and previously served for many years on the board of the Caloosa Humane Society, where I helped open the Caloosa Humane Society Veterinary Clinic to provide the low-cost veterinary services our area desperately needed. I have also volunteered with the Firehouse Community Theatre and the LaBelle Downtown Revitalization Corporation (LDRC), working to strengthen our local arts, culture, and small businesses.

"Through my volunteer work at Caloosa Humane Society, I met my husband, Alex DeStefano, a local realtor many of you may know. Our rescue dog, Herman, has even made appearances in Alex’s real estate posts. I live and work in Hendry County with Alex and our rescue pets. For the past 17 years, I have been a resident of Hendry County proudly sponsoring youth sports and supporting community events and celebrations.

"I show up for this community not because it is my profession, but because it is my home."

From her campaign website:

"I graduated cum laude from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Environmental Studies, and I earned my Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law, where I also completed certificates in Land Use and Environmental Law. I was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2007.

"My legal career began in Orange County as a Certified Legal Intern at the State Attorney’s Office for the Ninth Judicial Circuit. I then returned home to Southwest Florida to serve as an Assistant State Attorney in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit, in Hendry County office where I represented the people of Hendry County for over 8 years. As a prosecutor, I managed more than 100 felony cases at a time from intake through resolution and tried numerous felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile cases. My courtroom experience includes DUIs, domestic violence, theft offenses, narcotics crimes, serious violent felonies, and handling the Special Victims docket. That experience strengthened my ability to evaluate evidence carefully, apply the law fairly, and make difficult decisions with steady judgment."

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Jill Cabai lives in LaBelle, operates her law office in LaBelle, and owns a home in LaBelle. 
She contributed $30,000 to her campaign, and $8,000 has been contributed mainly by Hendry county residents or businesses.

The Florida Department of State indicates she is an officer of the non-profit CENTRAL FLORIDA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, INC.

Sources:

Campaign Website https://jillforhendryjudge.com/

Hendry County Election Office (all candidates) https://hendryelections.gov/running_for_office/candidate_bio_and_financial_reports.php

Platt Branch Wildlife Area Public Hearing July 29 In Lake Placid

Help plan the future of the Platt Branch WEA

VENUS, FL. -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will present the draft materials for the Platt Branch Wildlife and Environmental Area 10-year Land Management Plan at a public hearing in Highlands County on Wednesday, July 29.

The public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. at the Town of Lake Placid Community Room 1069 US Highway 27 N. Lake Placid, FL 33852. The public is encouraged to attend and will have the opportunity to comment and ask questions regarding the Land Management Plan for the FWC-managed WMA.

Located just south of Lake Placid, the 1,982-acre Platt Branch Wildlife and Environmental Area (PBWEA) lies within a rural landscape of ranchlands, citrus groves, conservation lands, and the southern Lake Wales Ridge. The property borders the northern edge of the Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area (FCWMA) in the upper Fisheating Creek Basin. The area protects key depressional wetlands that drain into Platt Branch and Fisheating Creek, the only free-flowing tributary to Lake Okeechobee, and serves as an important link in South Florida’s regional wildlife corridor. Additionally, the PBWEA contains diverse natural communities that include scrub, hammocks, flatwoods, marshes and swamps. This habitat diversity supports a wide range of resident and migratory bird species, offering excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife watching.

For more information regarding this and other upcoming public hearings, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation then click “Terrestrial Conservation” and “Management.” Hunting and fishing regulations are not included in this plan or public hearing; they are addressed through a separate public process. Visit MyFWC.com/Hunting and click on the Hunting Handbook under “Regulations” or MyFWC.com/Fishing and select either Saltwater Recreational Regulations or Freshwater Recreational Regulations to learn more about hunting and fishing regulations.

To see more about Land Management Plans, visit MyFWC.com/Conservation, click “Terrestrial Conservation,” then scroll to “Management Plans”. To obtain a copy of the draft elements of the Management Plan for the Platt Branch WEA, please contact FWCMgmtPlans@MyFWC.com.

Pursuant to Chapters 253 and 259, Florida Statutes, all lands purchased with public funds must have a Land Management Plan that ensures the property will be managed in a manner that is consistent with the intended purposes of the purchase.