Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
Healthcare Tops 2021 FCA Settlement Numbers
Not that you need another reason to promote False Claims Act (FCA) compliance, but last year the feds settled violations related to the healthcare industry at upwards of $5 billion. Nuts and bolts: The Department of Justice (DOJ) highlighted its many settlements in its fiscal year (FY) 2021 breakdown, reminding that healthcare fraud led the agency’s settlements and judgments. “The department’s vigorous pursuit of health care fraud prevents billions more in losses by deterring others who might try to cheat the system for their own gain,” the DOJ says in a release. “In many cases, the department’s efforts also protect patients from medically unnecessary or potentially harmful actions.” Healthcare cases ran the gamut, exceeding $5 billion in settlements and judgments, and included violations pertaining to “drug and medical device manufacturers, managed care providers, hospitals, pharmacies, hospice organizations, laboratories and physicians,” DOJ notes. Among the plethora of cases, the DOJ points to these major issues that caused 2021 to be the second biggest settlement year in history: COVID-related fraud; medically unnecessary services; Medicare Advantage fraud; EHR fraud; opioid abuse and prescription fraud; and cybersecurity. Find the DOJ brief at www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-s-false-claims-act-settlements-and-judgments-exceed-56-billion-fiscal-year.
Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement
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