Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Gary Boone, Mena, AR — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:56:16 GMT

I spent 15 years as a contracted Medicaid auditor for the Arkansas Medicaid Prescription Drug Program. I discovered many fraud cases and testified in numerous trials. CMS just needs to hire a few folks with DME background and a little common sense to take a look-see at new (or existing) suppliers. I'll guarantee you that folks with that background can smell fraud when they walk in the front door. I was a pharmacist and just by looking at pharmacy records (prescription files) for a short period of time, you can readily discern the modus operandi of each owner. Once you see a sleazy operator, you know it is just figuring out which fraud plan they are utilizing. Look at what they are billing. Don't you think an inordinate number of power chairs should raise a red flag with someone immediately? CMS needs to hire someone besides idiots to handle their fraud program.

In the meantime, please don't paint everyone with the same brush. Good honest suppliers, supplying important services to those in need are viewed as criminals. How about highlighting a few good ones!

Also, this can also get very political. We did not renew our auditing contract with Arkansas DHS in 1995. There have been zero prosecutions in pharmacy for Medicaid fraud from that point forward. I'm not naive enough to believe that all of the crooks just went away. I don't know the angle with CMS in this particular instance but I think sometimes they opt for the easy way out.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Claudia Muller, Alamo, TX — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:59:37 GMT

I don't understand how something like this could have been authorized by Medicare. Who is supervising the people making these authorizations; and, are they train to spot fraudulent documents. I work in the medical field; everyday I see claims being denied to people who really need the services or equipment.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Sharon Gould, Louisville Kentucky — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:29:36 GMT

Legitimate suppliers are hard working, honest people who are taking care of people and charging fees as set by Medicare. We have swallowed many cuts, constantly changing requirements, and must often bill
review, and appeal to get paid. We are not suppliers of equipment but provide service, delivery, instruction, and repairs. 24 hour availablity. We are accredited and have been for aprox. 10 years. Why wasnt That a requirement for everyone? We are a part of the community and work with Doctors, Home Health, Hospice,and Therapists to ensure patients a safe quality of life in their own homes. We might provide the only contact with elderly patients who are confined to their homes. We want to be a part of the solution. We resent being blamed for the crooks. We are less then 2% of the Healthcare dollars and yet we
are the target of more cuts and competative bidding which is expected to eliminate 1/2 of the existing suppliers.These anticipated changes will force manufacturers to close down American factories, providing a cheaper product from Chinese markets. No one is willing to look at the whole picture as it is being drawn by a short sighted congress.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Laura, San Diego, CA — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:35:20 GMT

I worked in the senior citizen field for many years and we dealt with Medicare, Medicare supplement policies, and Medicare billing issues. The KEY question is: If we could clean up a lot of this costly fraud, we could probably fund Medicare for all Americans. We aren't we doing this?

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Cheryl Kay Hartgraves, Socorro, NM — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 21:53:45 GMT

Medicare is money not insurance. Insurance companies bid (cheapest bid wins)for the right to administer Medicare. As a nurse I worked for a major insurer in the 80s. I did medical review and fraud detection. Our unit had 6 nurses and one physician advisor. The insurance company had to pay to employ us, not Medicare. After 6 years of saving millions of dollars for Medicare we were laid off. We were told it is "cheaper to pay all claims and catch fraud down stream then it is to employ nurses. How's that working for ya!

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Scott, Brookville,PA — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:54:41 GMT

After seeing the report last night I just happened to get a Medicare report in the mail today, so I thought I would look closely at it. My wife is on Oxygen and we have an Oxygen concentrator in the house. The supplier has been charging Medicare $495.00 a month for the last 5 or 6 years for an item we could purchase for less than $2500.00! That's almost $6000.00 a year profit. When I called to question it I was told Medicare would rather pay the monthly rental than buy the machines outright! No wonder there is no money to fund the rest of the country!

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Ruth Whitmer, Tonawanda, NY — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:55:54 GMT

At this time after Medicare has paid for several of my husband's hospital bills they are saying that all of them were billed in error and someone has to pay Medicare back. I understand Medicare's need to crack down on fraud, but they are trying to recoup several thousands of dollars in error from the company I work for because supposedly the company I work for was the "Plan administrators" for an insurance company they (Medicare) feel should have paid the bills. They're in error, but not backing down. Where do small companies go when they're being attacked (again, in error) by Medicare?

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Paul W — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:08:37 GMT

I have been a nurse for 12 years and work with the geriatric population who have no or low income. I watched the story on medicare fraud and am confused about how these criminals were able to get approved by medicare. I have several patients who are unable to get their medication paid for by medicare for an unknown reason. These meds are very important for their quality of life and well-being. These meds are cheap compared to getting a motorized wheel chair yet medicare won't pay for them even with a prior authorization being done. Who is medicare really benefitting?

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Darlene Neuman Alexandria, MN — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:11:52 GMT

You need further help us Seniors by stopping the fraud of prescription drugs. I tried to price Simvastatin and I got from $14.00 from my local pharmacy (for 90 tabs of 40mg strength) to $559.00 for my insurance co's mail order pharmacy (Bioscrip) and have been repeatedly told by my insurance co and Bioscrip that I could not get the price of a prescription until I received the monthly report. I told them I don't buy anything without knowing the price and they laughed at me(practically telling me-what do you care, you don't pay the bill, Medicare does)(OH yea, I have a donut hole.) I sent emails to my Senators and their response My, my that's interesting!
Someone needs to do something. Taxpayers are being ripped of big-time on prescription drugs.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Andy Davis, Richardson TX — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:14:23 GMT

I Heard and saw it again on this evenings news with Brian Williams. Today a criminal was convicted and sentenced to A WHOLE 2-YEARS for defrauding the government and American taxpayers by illegally billing Medicare. This is appalling!! For example; just this week I also heard on local news that a crack addict or drug dealer can get 5-years in this country for possessing 5grams of crack cocaine. They however have a choice they can make as to whether or not to purchase, use or distribute these drugs. Tax payers in the case of this Medicare atrocity we are hearing about, do not get to make a choice. We have to bear the billions of dollars in insurance premium increases (not to mention all the other too numerous to mention fees and increases), and we get absolutely no choice! How in blazes (more color would be used if I could)does a low life scum bag crook like these Medicare scammers get away with a slap on the wrist like 2-years??? I say the MINIMUM sentence for first time conviction should be double digits, 10+ years at the very least! Uncle Sam should say "You mess with my money, my trust and my people, and you've messed with the wrong man."
John Wayne where are you when we need you?

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

T. J. Carpenter — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:19:47 GMT

Brian Wiliams reports the Government was cheated out of millions by Medicare Fraud. It was not the government, it was the taxpayer!!!

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Brennen Garry, Kansas City, MO — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:26:32 GMT

I have to wonder why the Medicare program is giving provider numbers to companies that dont have a location. The Medicare and OIG officials featured in the story mention the volume is so large they couldn't possible audit each claim. True, but you only need to make one visit to make sure that they are a legitimate business with a physical location. The scam is run with new numbers and retired dormant provider numbers which they shouldn't be approving claims for in the first place. The Home Medical industry is full of great people that run fine organizations. Medicare is cutting funding for Oxygen each year while the money they save is leaking out the bottom due to fraud.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

D. Ferraro, Long Island, NY — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:27:32 GMT

The woman shown reviewing her fraudulent Medicare bills suggests a possible way to rapidly uncover such fraud.
Medicaid recipients who report suspect billings later found fradulent should be given a (non-taxable) percentage of the monies recovered. This would provide a highly incentivized force of senior sleuths, and give the bad-guys something to worry about.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Esther Murphy, Wilmington, NC — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:30:59 GMT

This is the most important domestic issue NBC has uncovered in my lifetime. I found fraudulent medical billing paid on my account as soon as Medicare took on prescription drugs. There is no one to report this to. Call Medicare and an automated message says all lines are busy, call back another time. I have waited on hold for hours, been automatedly disconnected and left messages at medicare contacts trying to report abuse and fraud. The humans I have contacted never follow through. No one is minding the store. We have no government accountabilty. It's a feeding frenzy.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Peter, NYC, NY — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:33:41 GMT

Perhaps you are not aware of this -- or perhaps you intentionally ignore it -- but when you add a restriction to fight crime/fraud, you are also creating a barrier to legitimate people. So, if you stop paying people for ANY reason, the tired, the mentally incompetent, the elderly, the disabled will suffer. Clearly, fraud most be discovered, but do that by looking at the top one percent of the payouts – not at the bottom payouts. So, yes, look at firms that bill $1million a person, but stop looking at people who get $30,000 a year in benefits. And look at who their supplier is, and check that they are truly MD’s and accredited hospitals, and not other vendors. This is elemental. And political. The Republicans try to focus on fraud, instead of on benefits to poor or ill people. Look at the Republicans trying to “stop voter fraud” and now you have stopping medicare/Medicaid fraud. The Republicans also want to abolish the income tax and IRS enforcement – so that their people can steal millions without bother. Please. Don’t you recall President Reagan talking about welfare people with Cadillacs? It’s an old Republican trick.

And please think about it: if you make a barrier to a person getting money, there’s a good chance they are too sick or too tired to protest and get the money.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

CHARLES, GEORGETOWN, TX — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:51:08 GMT

As the internet came into being, and identity fraud was invented, we all became very wary of using our social security number for anything. Last March, I turned 65 and received social security and medicare, I was shocked to see that my medicare account number was my social security number plus a letter of the alphabet!
Now, everytime I receive a medicare statement from Medicare, there is my social security number right on the form!! And they worry about fraud? Go figure!

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Linda Carpenter Phoenix Arizona — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:53:48 GMT

I wonder why you never reported on Medicare Fraud when HCA,Inc, the largest for profit health care provider in the nation, owned by Senator Bill Frist , yes, Bill Frist, was fined 1.7 billion in 2003 for Medicare FRAUD! Billions of dollars, a company that went in and degraded care in all of the hospitals in owned as Columbia, then changed it name and continued to bilk Medicare out of billions! All you have to do is google HCA,Inc and Medicare Fraud and you will see the case. To do a story about small companies bilking is just one part of the story. Why didn't you cover Bill Frist's families crime? Please do. America should know. Why didn't you ever cover it? I want to know.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

ann small town, MO — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:04:27 GMT

When the family of a patient does discover an add on to the hospital bill & lets the administators know about it they are told oh, don't worry medicare will pay that part. We refused to pay until the extra was removed. We did not report any furture because we will have to us this hospital again.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

James Lange — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:06:07 GMT

Please be advised that while you are correct, there are MANY HME companies abusing the Medicare system..there are many hundreds of companies who are decent, honest, hard working and just attempting to care for our seniors in their final years. I have been the the Home Medical Equipment industry in Arizona for nearly 30 years. We continue to see cuts in our reimbursement constant changes in processing and submitting claims, causing denied claims and costly resubmits, competitive bidding,which will cause many American companies to close their doors and refusal of claims for needy individuals who must choose between health and safety or existing. Prosecute the guilty but please trust and help the rest of us!

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Janet M Nelson, Yuma, Arizona — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:06:47 GMT

The solution to the fraud was shown on your TV show tonight. That elderly woman was seeing HER bills for the first time, wasn't she? It is what has been needed since the program's inception in 1963, but those of us who urged it were told it would be too costly to get patients to review their own claims. Let the patient SEE his or her bills. I will bet that elderly woman would have blown the whistle if she had been given the privilege of seeing what her providers were billing for her care. Instead the government pays intermediaries who know NOTHING about the patient and who get around to authorizing things so many months after the fact the patient probably has no idea what is going on. I had worked in the field over 33 years and was thoroughly disgusted by the federal attitude that the patient was a liability, not a thinking citizen.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Joyce Dickerson, Moultrie, Georiga — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:07:12 GMT

I have reason to believe that Medicare fraud is rampant and is designed for a crook. As a Registered Nurse, I blew the whistle on my local hospital for Medicare fraud in the home health department. The Department of Justice got involved, and the hospital had to refund $475,000 to Medicare and enter Corporate Integrity Agreement. So, it sounds as though jusstice was done. Not so, because the CEO of the hospital remains in his position.

It was reported on the news that the HHS has tried to get Congress to approve more auditors, which would be a step in the right direction. When fraud is proven, the next step to correct this problem would be to disallow Medicare privileges to those who were involved and they should face criminal charges.

Joyce Dickerson, Moultrie, Georgia

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Jeff Taylor, RRT-RPSGT Statesville, NC — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:09:00 GMT

There is no doubt that you can find people that want to steal and take advantage of the system, this is nothing new with the government and the very nature of the checks and balances. The sad part of the 2 part series was that not one good company taking care of senior citizens was presented, nor the fact that the very industry keeps folks out of the hospital and in the end saves the government money. I am disappointed that your story didn't show the good of the industry. I can promise you there are a lot of good providers that show care, compassion and save healthcare dollars, maybe you should highlight some of those?

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Jeff Taylor, RRT-RPSGT Statesville, NC — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:09:02 GMT

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Gordon D. Sokoloff, Miami, Florida — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:42:31 GMT

Two Points in response to this report:

1. Some doctors are indeed guilty, but since the medical profession has become so predominantly directed by middlemen (HMO's, PPO's, etc)...the opportunity to commit fraud is exponentially multiplied. Most doctors are trained to have better morals and ethical standards than business-(middle)men who are out clearly to make a buck.
2. Living in Miami, and reading about these scams with some frequency, the obvious cure for these crimes is not only to revamp the system, but to make the punishments more harsh. A slap on the wrist and a $50,000.00 fine is nothing to these scoundrels who are bilking millions of taxpayer dollars. These crimes should be punishable with severe consequences, - no question about it.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Deb, Seattle, Wa — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 02:24:20 GMT

Looks like the insurance companies are getting scared of all the talk about not-for-profit healthcare - free for everyone. Insurance companies would be out of business so I guess we need to have News Stories about Medicare Fraud to once again scare the American public into believing that government run programs are not the answer. I even heard the reporter state that Private Insurance Companies are needed to perform the checks needed to prevent this kind of fraud - yeah right.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Charles Taggart, Wakefield, Rhode Island — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 02:30:39 GMT

The woman medicare recipient you showed looking at her medicare payment notifications showing she had Aids showed only her indignant reaction. Did she read the notices when she received them and notify medicare of the obvious fraud? Do you know that medicare recently decided to send those notices quarterly, rather than monthly, to save paper. As a result, recipients can't know for three months that a fraud has been committed. Having said that, the recipients still have to pay attention to what medicare has paid for, and how much.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

G Lane, Phoenix AZ — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:43:12 GMT

For anyone interested to learn more about fraudulent schemes and how they can be detected should read Sparrow's book, mentioned in this article. I read it, while putting together anti-fraud procedures for a small, private health insurance company; it was required for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. The penalties for the prosecuted do need to be stiffer, but then taxpayer money is being wasted doubly- paying for trial and incarceration, after being bilked by fraudulent claims. This book explains in more detail why 'in-field' investigation and networking would be more effective than prosecution after the fact. Not all fraudulent claims are submitted by valid providers; how can restitution and penalties be collected from an organization which does not exist, except on paper? A ounce of prevention, folks. It's our money - why aren't we making more noise? And no, I am not the author nor writing in his behalf. The book just made sense.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Alex Kwechansky, Los Angeles, CA — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:01:17 GMT

I manage more than one doctor who used to accept Medicare. I am an accredited specialist in fraud detection and also teach the subject. The doctors' side has been ignored.
You should note the number of doctors who no longer accept Medicare patients. Medicare's treatment of doctors has decreased the patients' access to proper medical care.
Would you want your lawyer being reviewed by their legal assistant? Would you want your CPA judged by a bookkeeper? That is how the doctors' care is judged by Medicare. Their services are judged by nurses and computer operators, not by doctors. Look at both sides of the situation.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Louise Halsell Akron, Ohio — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:21:13 GMT

Thank you very much for giving us this information.
My severely retarded and completely paralyzed daughter
was just turned down by Medicare for the purchase
of a shower chair.
When I read the denial letter I felt sad because I
thought the government was out of funds.
Now I know better. They okay funds that don't make
sense and deny those that are real needs.
I am going to reapply and attach this article.
Thank you.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

dennis cowart, jonesville, la — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:35:14 GMT

watched the report, makes you sick at how slow the government wastes money. i like the way they are kicking around ways to reduce this.... how about offering a 10% finder fee to all these people that get the bill that was paid on their behalf, i hear it all the time about they paid this but nothing was done or i didn't get this or what's this for.... these folks could start today and no training.........but then again i realize we are talking about the government and it rarely ever does something simple

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Richard Hubble Phoenix Arizona — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:00:03 GMT

You now it seems no matter how loud we screem crap like this keeps going on, I work for one of the largest hoemcare companies in the world ans belive me if you are even caught thinking about billing something wrong you mind as well hang it up, becouse the upper management will make sure you are out the from door befour it can hit you in the butt.
It just kills me to see the TV promitting all this crap about motorized wheel chaires for people the companys seem like they cann do what ever it takes to get the chair, its just knowing what and where to say it, it just make all of us SICK.
My wife that is on medicare can not even get some medications due to verious reason they always have, long story short she has to do with out and is suffering the effects becouse we are unable to but it.
But I will be dammed they can sure get someone a motorized wheel chair even if they done need it.
The whole system is screwed up, and Mr. Mark Potter may want to be careful on just what he reoports becouse it not all eveyone out there. But as usuale guess what it made a great story and im sure NBC News is happy and there rateings went up for the program, why dont they take the effort they ahve put into this story and help out the ones that are being left behind.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Tim Burner, Richmond, VA — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:08:09 GMT

Hi Mark,

As the Director of Rehab in a large nursing home in Richmond, VA it disturbs me sincerely that fraud like you have described is happening. Many therapy claims filed under Medicare B are denied because of this fraud and has led to the Medicare B caps that are presently in place. This fraud has severely limited the services, both amount and type, that therapists are able to provide. I would implore you to take a look at some of the agencies, like National Government Services, that allow nurses to determine what services are denied to legitimate patients but continue to allow fraud to occur unchecked. Medicare hires (contracts) out those services that deny or accept Medicare claims. thanks for listening and I really appreciated the attention your story is giving to fraud. Have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Ed & Betsy, McDonough, Ga — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:54:37 GMT

60 Billion a year in fraud... We can't even get respite care for our multiply disabled son here in McDonough, GA. so my wife and I can get a break once in a blue moon. The whole system TOP down needs a big change.
Ed & Betsy

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Irene Hofstein, Newton, Massachusetts — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:15:58 GMT

This is nothing new. It has gone on snce Medicare started and they refused to check claims. As a medical office manager many many years ago I noticed fraudulent claims being paid by Medcare and I began questioning them why they were paying claims without checking. The standard answer was :"It would cost us more to hire people to check than paying". So much for progress.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Jane Doe — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:07:51 GMT

If the patients get notices of fees charged to medicare, why not reward seniors who report charges that they have not had done. By paying seniors a small $ amount, you will find seniors paying close attention and also contacting medicare in reference to fraud.

Jane Doe
Ellisville, IL

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Syloke J Soong — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 05:30:47 GMT

It is very difficult for me not to succumb to the thinking that there is conspiracy involving secret sources of funding for the war in Iraq. $60 billion fraud and the likes of Oliver North would not be attracted to a big piece of the pie? Complaints unresponded to and not acted upon?

Some one needs to trace the lines of those fraud and find that they lead to some well disguised highly fortified financial dark matter black hole.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

richard carrancejie — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:51:00 GMT

Dear Mark,I have complained to the Medicare Regional in Atlanta,GA.. I am a dialysis patient in Birmingham,AL.. Please go to my name on the web,Richard Carrancejie. The problem is we have to many of our government representitive on the payroll of major medical providers,an example would be the University of Alabama at Birmingham.These medical providers also have PAC's that contribute to the politicians campaigns. The disabled have no help from our politicians.I hve complained to Medicare and the Alabama State Health Department but it seems they are afraid of U.A.B.,because U.A.B. is a major employer in Alabama. Go to the Alabama Dept. of Public Health Web Site and retrieve the Dialysis Center Reports. If we as patients speak out they try to remove us from the dialysis clinic.We continue to get threats when we contact the state investigator.These clinics have not been inspected in years by the state or medicare. We need NBC's help. Go also to Gambro and DaVita patient deaths on the web.We contacted Congressman Artur Davis,Ways and Means Committee, concerning these dialysis clinics(multiple major violations),he has done nothing to help with this crisis. He spends a lot of time in Birmingham but doesn't answer to the voters.He also spends a lot of time at U.A.B.. He is on the Ways and Means Committee that is looking into the Epogin and Dialysis Clinics Crisis. He has not taken any action .I would look into what PAC's gave him money that are associated with U.A.B.,DaVita and the U.A.b. medical staff or U.A.B. executives.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

richard carrancejie — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 20:51:41 GMT

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

JOSE SANCHEZ — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 23:58:11 GMT

EVERY IS CONCENTRATED IN ONE TYPE OF FRAUD, BUT NOBODY IS TELLING TO MEDICARE THE BILLIONS OF DOLLAR THEY PAY TO MEDICARE PROVIDERS FOR GARBAGE PROCEDURES. I WORK IN A HOSPITAL AND MANY PATIENTS COME TO HAVE A NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY FOR SECOND TIME, MANY OF THEM COME WITH HARD COPY OF THE PREVIOUS TEST, AND THAT IS RIDICULOUS THAT MEDICARE PAY A SINGLE PENNY FOR A PROCEDURE THAT WOULB BE THROWN TO THE GARBAGE CONTAINER.

THE REPORT DOES NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT BIG MEDICAL CORPORATION LIKE HMO IN SOUTH FLORIDA THAT ARE HIRING TECHNICIANS WITHOUT ANY CERTIFICATION, TO DO RISK PROCEDURES LIKE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG).

IF MEDICARE DICIDES TO STOP DIAGNOSTIC CENTERS TO DO ANY PROCEDURE WITHOUT THE CREDENTIALS, I AM SURE 100% THAT MEDICARE WILL SAVE TWICE MORE MONEY THAT THE MONEY THEY COLLECT FROM CROOK DME.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

JJOC — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:54:28 GMT

I recently found that my homecare medicare vendor was billing medicare almost $200/month for what would have been 36 months for a machine that anyone with a prescription can purchase for $ 700. NOT A BAD RETURN ON INVESTMENT $7200 IN 36 MONTHS!!!
No wonder Medicare costs are out of control! I sent the rented machine back & am buying my own.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

nls, Winfield, MO — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 07:09:48 GMT

Most people hearing commericials from medical suppliers would realize that some sort of fraud is occuring, I am shocked that it took so long for a government program to catch on. National ads run for free diabetes supplies, power scooters, etc. they are all paid for through medicare. The government seems shocked that when you let companies know that if you supply equipment and services to medicare recipients, then the bill will be paid. It is like telling a 10 year old that every time they needed bus fare to get home, they could submit a form, and get the money. With no check or balance. For some reason the bus fare office goes bankrupt, because every one is walking up, creating a form, and asking for fare.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Steve NY,NY — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 07:16:51 GMT

Let's do as they do in Saudia Arabia.
If your convicted of theft, they cut off a part of your body (usually a hand) IF they just do NOT execute you AND IF your allowed to live, your relagated to the LOWEST part of their society without entitlement to any state run life support benefits.
In this case I would think the theives would think twice before commiting the crime of theft.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

Randy McFarland, Fullerton, CA — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:39:40 GMT

Hi Mark,
Most providers will know who their fellow providers are withing a given geographic area. I'd be interested to see a list created by Medicare that shows the number of billings generated (by each provider of my type) in my area. I could quickly tip off Medicare if we saw addresses/companies that we don't recognize.

Medicare Fraud: How can this happen?

ronald bradshaw, no. hllywd, ca — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 18:42:38 GMT

having been in the medical field 30+ years: the biggest problem is the patients. a patient will come in to the office for care/suuplies and their medicare has been used recently or regularly. the patient will state they haven't used it. however they will never follow up or complian to medicare.