Practice Management Alert

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) National Anti-Fraud Department (NAFD) announced in June that its anti-fraud investigations recovered nearly $350 million in 2008. That number represents a 43 percent increase over 2007, according to a report by the NAFD.

According to the NAFD, the recouped funds came from false claims, fabricated medical records, noncovered procedures, questionable anesthesia practices, and more. "These investigations and programs illustrate how Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies are actively combating fraud," said Byron Hollis, managing director of BCBSA's NAFD in a press release. "We are protecting consumers and saving healthcare dollars by developing preventive programs and working in partnership with consumers, law enforcement, and authorities to investigate potential fraud cases."

If you're a BCBS member and you suspect fraud, you can report it to the NAFD by calling (877) 327-BLUE, or visiting the NAFD Web site (www.bcbs.com/blueresources/anti-fraud/report-fraud.html).

In other news: The Medicare strike force took action in Detroit targeting "53 individuals who are accused of various Medicare fraud offenses, including conspiracy to defraud the Medicare program, criminal false claims, and violations of the anti-kickback statues," according to a June 24 Dept. of Health and Human Services press release.