The Medicare Fraud Strike Force charged 301 people for submitting fraudulent bills totaling $900 million, marking the largest nationwide healthcare fraud takedown in nine years, according to MedPage Today.
Here are five key points:
1. Sixty-one of the defendants are healthcare professionals, including 28 physicians and pharmacists, physical therapists, nurses and home healthcare providers.
2. A Justice Department and HHS collaboration, the Medicare Fraud Strike Force has charged more than 2,900 individuals since its 2007 inception. The conviction rate is currently 95 percent.
3. Of those arrested, the task force charged more than 60 with Medicare Part D drugs benefit fraud, which the Justice Department characterized as "the fastest growing component of the Medicare program."
4. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, JD, referred to a recent case in which federal investigators arrested five individuals for paying kickbacks in an $86 million Medicare and Medicaid fraud scheme. The individuals allegedly directed more than $38 million reimbursements on the $86 million in bills through various New York companies. The shell companies claimed to provide consulting, marketing and advertising services.
5. Attorney General Lynch said healthcare fraud is not "abstract," and they often target those in need of "significant medical care."
More articles on coding & billing:
Republicans vow to replace ACA with tax credits — 6 points on the GOP health insurance proposal
Aetna-Humana's road to regulatory approval is proving much smoother than Anthem-Cigna's — Here's why
Are politicians done fighting over the ACA? 5 takeaways