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Medicaid is the Federal health care program that specifically assists low-income individuals and families. Much like food stamps, it is designed to make sure those Americans who are struggling can remain as healthy as more affluent citizens. However, this system can easily be cheated. While the vast majority of providers and participants are fairly utilizing the Medicaid system, others are abusing it. Through lies, misrepresentation and falsification of documents, Medicaid providers or recipients can defraud Medicaid, and often do. To preserve this invaluable service, it is important that we take steps to combat and prevent this abuse. Fraud affects us all.
1. Several methods are used to commit Medicaid fraud. Those used by providers include billing for unnecessary services, double billing to both Medicaid and private insurance companies or individuals, or ordering patients in for redundant visits, services or procedures. Recipients can also defraud Medicaid, often by selling the medicines and supplies they've received, allowing others to use their Medicaid benefits, or falsifying prescriptions for subsidized drugs.
2. Medicaid fraud harms those who need it most. Medicaid was designed to provide high-quality medical relief at affordable prices to those who need it. When someone defrauds Medicaid services, the government is forced to raise the prices and lower the benefits of Medicaid for all honest and hardworking recipients and providers. This affects everyone.
3. If you are witness to Medicaid abuse, it is in the public's best interest that you come forward. Medicaid fraud undermines some basic American values and it is up to private individuals to combat it on the government's behalf. In addition, there is the possibility of a huge financial reward for alerting the government to these crimes. |
