Nationwide Medicare Fraud Busts
As we have noted over and over again in previous posts, the federal government has significantly ramped up its Medicare fraud and abuse enforcement. This time the crackdown on false billing schemes was staggering. Yesterday, in the largest single-day health care fraud bust in U.S. history, the Medicare Fraud Task Force charged and arrested 111 people--including physicians, nurses, and health care company executives-who allegedly swindled the federal government out of more than $225 million. These arrests took place in 9 major cities across the country. More specifically, the claims against these health care professionals were for fraudulent claims for services that were never provided, kickback arrangements, money laundering, and identity theft. More details available in the HHS/DOJ press release.
For most providers, these types of crackdowns are of little concern because they are targeting the most egregious and blatant fraud and abuse, and the overwhelming majority of providers are not involved in such schemes. Events like this, however, should serve as a reminder to even the most cautious and upstanding providers that the federal government has become increasingly serious about health care fraud and abuse enforcement. Between these enforcement efforts and increased auditing of providers through RAC audits, providers that remain vigilant will have a certain advantage over those that are not.
