Home Health & Hospice Week
Fraud Strike Force Expands To 2 New Cities
Fraudulent home care providers figured prominently in the feds' latest massive fraud bust conducted by Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams across the nation. And the feds have added strike force teams in two new cities -- Dallas and Chicago -- bringing the total to nine cities overall. The strike force, conducted by the Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services with help from the FBI and other agencies, charged 111 defendants in nine cities regarding $225 million in false Medicare billing, the DOJ says in a press release. Home health and durable medical equipment providers were charged in Miami, Detroit, Tampa, Houston, Dallas, Baton Rouge, and Chicago, the DOJ says. Services were often medically unnecessary or not provided. And providers often paid kickbacks to patient recruiters and beneficiaries, prosecutors allege. "We are waging an aggressive fight against health care fraud," Attorney General Eric Holder says in the release. Last year, the strike force recovered $4 billion, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says in the release. "From 2008-2010, every dollar the Federal Government spent under its Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control programs averaged a return on investment of $6.80," she adds.
Home Health & Hospice Week
- Pay For Performance:
Will P4P Program Take Money Out Of Your Pocket?
CMS readies congressional report on value-based purchasing this fall. Getting docked for things that are [...] - Regulations:
Value-Based Purchasing Plan May Resemble P4P Demo
Expect CMS to take action on a VBP plan soon, expert predicts. For a clue [...] - HIPAA:
Don't Let HIPAA Noncompliance Topple You
Beware 'willful neglect' penalties up to $50,000 per violation now in effect. If you think [...] - Enforcement:
HHS Slaps $1 Million HIPAA Fine On Provider For Lost Data
Warning: HIPAA enforcement is ramping up. The feds don't seem afraid to use their HIPAA [...] - Industry Notes:
Industry Earnings Mixed After Rate Cuts, Investigations
Amedisys sees earnings dip. The 5 percent rate cut that took effect Jan. 1 managed [...] - Industry Notes:
Therapy Best Practices Report Offers Guidelines
HHAs looking to avoid compliance problems sparked by the congressional therapy investigation of publicly traded [...] - Industry Notes:
Fraud Strike Force Expands To 2 New Cities
Fraudulent home care providers figured prominently in the feds' latest massive fraud bust conducted by [...] - Industry Notes:
New Interpretive Guidance Makes Clear, No Signature Stamps
Take a look at the new guidance CMS is issuing to your surveyors. CMS issued [...] - Industry Notes:
Don't Jump The Gun On Cahaba-CIGNA Switchover
Don't jump the gun on the switchover from Cahaba GBA to CIGNA as your Medicare [...] - Industry Notes:
Haven't Responded To CERT? Expect A Call From CMS
You'll be bringing yourself to CMS's attention if you fail to respond to Comprehensive Error [...] - Industry Notes:
Help Is Available For Comparative Billing Reports
Wondering what to make of the comparative billing report you received from CBR contractor SafeGuard [...] - Industry Notes:
Tap These Free Tools For Doc, Bene Education
Medicare officials have put more physician and beneficiary training tools at your fingertips. Docs: CMS [...] - Industry Notes:
FBI Searches Office Of Minnesota HHA
Medicaid's home health fraud hunt is showing more results. In Minnesota, the FBI has searched [...] - Industry Notes:
HHA Chain Teams Up With Texas Hospital
Regional chain LHC Group Inc. has entered into a home health joint venture with CHRISTUS [...] - What Do You Think?:
Could 'Willful Neglect'Violations Apply To Stolen Laptop?
It could happen, says HIPAA expert. Willful neglect violations can lead to some humongous fines. [...]
