Medicaid Fraud

The Medicaid Program provides medical benefits to low-income people who have no medical insurance or inadequate medical insurance. Although the Federal government establishes general guidelines for the program, the Medicaid program requirements are actually established by each State.

Health care fraud may involve doctors, pharmacists, and medical equipment companies. This type of fraud not only harms you financially, but more importantly, your health.

Also, annual losses to the government and health insurers from fraud scams continue to exceed $100 billion. Success in addressing health care fraud cannot be measured solely by convictions obtained, but can be more effectively measured by the deterrent effect that efforts have on those who may be contemplating fraud.

Anyone with information on Medicaid fraud is encouraged to contact their Medicaid state agency or a Health Care/Medicaid Lawyer.

Medicaid Fraud

Medical Fraud can take many forms. You can avoid being taken advantage of by unscrupulous individuals by watching for the following:

• Payments (in cash or in kind) in return for Medicaid numbers

• Every patient in a group setting receiving the same type of service on the same day

• Every patient in a group setting receiving the same type of medical equipment

• Services listed on your medical summary notice that you don't remember receiving or didn't need.

Medicaid Fraud Schemes

• Billing for "phantom patients" who did not really receive services
• Billing for medical services or goods that were not provided
• Billing for old items as if they were new
• Billing for more hours than there are in a day
• Billing for tests that the patient did not need
• Paying a "kickback" in exchange for a referral for medical services or goods
• Charging Medicaid for personal expenses that have nothing to do with caring for a Medicaid client
• Overcharging for health care services or goods that were provided
• Concealing ownership in a related company
• Using false credentials
• Double-billing for health care services or goods that were provided
  

If you have been charged with Medicaid Fraud or any other Health Care Fraud you need to contact a Health Care/Medicaid Fraud Lawyer.