HHS (NE) audit finds 'one grand mess,' possible fraud in $6.5 million Medicaid program

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By Martha Stoddard

LINCOLN — State Auditor Mike Foley made public an audit Wednesday showing “gross mismanagement” and “serious financial discrepancies” in a Medicaid-related program.

Foley said the problems the audit uncovered hurt taxpayers and participants alike. Some acts might be criminal fraud, he said.

“All in all, this program is one grand mess in need of radical surgery,” he said.

In a formal response, state Department of Health and Human Services officials said they were reviewing procedures related to the program and addressing problems.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20130529/NEWS/705299843/1685#hhs-audit-finds-one-grand-mess-possible-fraud-in-6-5-million-medicaid-program

[Tx4obama]

1. Local, state story. n/t

[Canuckistanian]

3. Nebraska?

At least they should mention the state.

[Tx4obama]

4. Here's a couple (FEDERAL) NATIONAL stories re: Medicare fraud, for those that might've missed them

U.S. charges 89 people in $223 million Medicare fraud schemes
Tue, 14 May 2013
Reuters

WASHINGTON, May 14 (Reuters) - Federal officials charged 89 people including doctors, nurses and other medical professionals in eight U.S. cities on Tuesday with Medicare fraud schemes that the government said totaled $223 million in false billings.

In the latest big Medicare fraud crackdown, more than 400 law enforcement officers including FBI agents fanned out in Miami, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York and other cities to make arrests. Authorities said suspects posed as physicians, preyed on the poor and otherwise scammed the $590 billion healthcare program with phony or unnecessary bills.

About one in four defendants was a doctor, a nurse, a physical therapist or some other medical professional.

"In many of these alleged schemes, the fraudulent billings could not have occurred without a doctor signing off on bogus services, or a nurse or therapist filling out false paperwork," Acting U.S. Assistant Attorney General Mythili Raman told reporters.

"In all of the ... schemes, profit was the driving force," she said.

-snip-

http://www.trust.org/item/20130514200409-o9fh8/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014483461

Feb 17, 2011

Medicare-Fraud Suspects Arrested as U.S. Expands Task Force in Crackdown

-snip-

Strike forces, used by the Justice Department and Health and Human Services Department to crack down on Medicare fraud since 2007, have charged more than 990 people with falsely billing Medicare for more than $2.3 billion, the Justice Department said in a statement today.

-snip-

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-17/medicare-fraud-suspects-are-said-to-be-arrested-as-u-s-expands-task-force.html

May 3, 2012

Medicare Fraud Task Force Makes Biggest Bust Ever

http://www.newser.com/story/145292/medicare-fraud-task-force-makes-biggest-bust-ever.html

[siligut]

5. I saw so much Medicare and Medicaid fraud working across the country

And I am convinced that the easy money compromised care. I am also convinced that this is where some of the opposition to Obamacare is coming from, these thieves knew that their gravy-train would be cut off.

[KrazyinKS]

6. Interesting point of view

You may very well be right, we always hear about the Medicare fraud. My question is aren't private insurance companies subject to fraud to? Are they immune somehow?

[Puzzledtraveller]

7. Working in Medicaid for about 4 years now

I have always said if we really tackled fraud waste and abuse there would be no need to talk cuts. Same for SNAP, as I do that program also.