REPORT MEDICARE FRAUD - CLAIM AN AWARD

Fraud and abuse cost Medicare and Medicaid about $33 billion each year. Worse, according to three convicted felons appearing before a Senate panel "it's ridiculously easy to cheat the federal government and taxpayers out of millions of Medicare and Medicaid dollars". One witness described how she acquired $7 million by charging $5 to $7 for gauze surgical dressings that cost a penny each. A former nightclub owner revealed that he made millions after he obtained a Medicare license - without a background check - and proceeded to open a crooked home health agency, charging Medicare $86 for each home visit while paying a nurse $16 to $22. An ex-physician told how he sold prescriptions to junkies in a Los Angeles Medicaid mill. Another shakedown practice consisted of submitting bills - $300,000 worth in one case - for treatment of dead patients.

The following is a list of tips to prevent fraud:

• Don't ever give out your Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number (on your Medicare card) except to your physician or other Medicare provider.
• Don't allow anyone, except appropriate medical professionals, to review your medical records or recommend services.
• Don't contact your physician to request a service that you do not need.
• Do be careful in accepting Medicare services that are represented as being free.
• Do be cautious when you are offered free testing or screening in exchange for your Medicare card number.
• Do be cautious of any provider who maintains they have been endorsed by the Federal government or by Medicare.
• Do avoid a provider of health care items or services who tells you that the item or service is not usually covered, but they know how to bill Medicare to get it paid.

It is in your best interest and that of all citizens to report suspected fraud. Health care fraud, whether against Medicare or private insurers, increases everyone's health care costs, much the same as shoplifting increases the costs of the food we eat and the clothes we wear. If we are to maintain and sustain our current health care system, we must work together to reduce costs. The governmnet has set up a "whistleblower statute" which allows for a private individual, or whistleblower with knowledge of past or present fraud on the federal government to receive an award if he or she hires an attorney who bring suit on behalf of the government. This provision allows a private person, known as a “relator,” to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the United States, where the private person has information that the named defendant has knowingly submitted or caused the submission of false or fraudulent claims to the United States.

If you think you have discovered Medicaid fraud, please fill out the form below. An attorney will review your claim and may contact you to discuss your rights.