Government
States recover $1.3 billion in Medicaid fraud
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 24, 2009
State Medicaid fraud units recovered $1.3 billion in 2008, according to an Aug. 7 report by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
The recoveries came from court-ordered restitutions, fines and civil settlements over claims involving alleged medically unnecessary services, illegal distribution of controlled substances, patient abuse, and fraudulent billing for home health services and durable medical equipment, among other accusations.
The actions involved a wide range of health care professionals and entities, including physicians, nurses, hospitals and managed care organizations. State Medicaid enforcement officials obtained 1,314 convictions and 971 settlements and judgments. They also excluded 755 health care entities from participating in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs, according to the report.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/08/24/gvbf0824.htm.
