The instances of
healthcare fraud cause a massive financial loss to the federal government. At
an estimate, calculated by a economics survey organization, the medicare scams
slapped a hammering of around $272 billion in the financial year 2011-2012. The
practitioners, the patients, the institutions – everyone has been involved in
harming the interests and gains of the government.
Shared here are some of
the most commonly seen cases of healthcare and medicare fraud. You need to act
attentively on such activities, and be ready to bring these into the view of
the authorities and the government –
Patients make healthcare
claims, which they do not really deserve. It is the most common
activity in which patients are involved, and the officials of insurance
companies, and sometimes, physicians help them in this.
Medicaid Supplier charge
for the pieces of equipment that they didn’t actually supply to a government
hospital or healthcare facility. Another instance of
embezzlement prevalent in the healthcare and medicare sector! The equipment
suppliers deliver products, like wheelchairs, needles, syringes, surgical
gloves, etc., which they never supplied to anyone anywhere. They produce false
bills, and obtain money from the government and state medical board.
Physicians prescribe
counterfeited drugs to their patients. A study, in which patients
were key respondents, says, in the year 2013, doctors in the U.S. prescribed
more than 5 million painkillers to their patients.
By reporting the
fraudulent activities in the healthcare sector, taking help from a
whistleblower compliance attorney, you
can help the government in combating the corruption. The whistleblower act
enables the common man to sue the fraudsters on behalf of the government. If
some funds are recovered, you may receive a certain (percentage of recovered
money as) reward for this noble deed.
However, if you are
doctor, physician, chemist, or any other healthcare professional, and are being
wrongly accused for having some connection in a healthcare fraud case, you can
consider taking consultation from a healthcare fraud defense
lawyer. They will give you the right set of advices, and help you
sail through the charges made against you. Though, ensuring the credibility and
reputation of the attorney would be a shrewd step, before going for a meeting
with them.