The Federal government is finally getting serious about curbing Medicare fraud which has been rampant, open and wanton for years, costing between $100-$150 million per year in losses.
Federal authorities today charged 107 doctors, nurses and social workers in a nationwide crackdown of fraudulent billing of Medicare. federal agents fanned out around the country raiding business, seizing documents and suspending payments to 52 providers. More than 50 people were arrested in Miami. Community mental health centers are apparently the latest in Medicare fraud along with medical equipment, HIV infusion fraud, ambulance fraud and more. The Justice Department also announced that it has quadrupled the number of strike teams around the nation charging hundreds with Medicare fraud. A new and advanced computer program is now being used to allow authorities to spot trends in billing patters more quickly. Many more arrests are expected in coming weeks.
