Medicare Fraud Risks

Washington Medicare Investigators say lax oversight risks millions of Medicare dollars.

by Associated Press

Published: Mon, August 04, 2008 - 12:26 am CST Last Updated: Mon, August 04, 2008 - 12:28 am CST

WASHINGTON (AP) - Congressional investigators are saying it's
too easy for scam artists to cheat Medicare out of millions of
dollars.
The Government Accountability Office says it set up two sham
medical supply companies, with no clients or medical patients, to
test the government's ability to catch thieves trying to bilk the
system. The investigators say the fake businesses won the
government's approval, even though they deliberately provided
sketchy information and false documents.
Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman says the report is proof there
are exploitable gaps in the system.
The agency says it's updating its standards, and will start
requiring suppliers to keep supporting paperwork from doctors. The
GAO says the new standards will only be successful if officials
work with "due diligence" when conducting screenings and
inspections.

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carl Says:

Mon, Aug 04, 2008 at 4:51 am

Finding that scam artist can cheat medicare out of millions of dollars is about as surprising as finding crooks and murderers in prisons. The only surprise is that they were surprised that it could happen and now they’re gonna do due diligence to check for fraud ! MERCY, Where do we get these workers for the government ?