U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius approved a waiver that allows extra funding to help Florida's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to better screen or "mine" for potential healthcare fraud in the Medicaid Management Information System, according to a news release by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Data mining gives Florida's MFCU the ability to use algorithms and other software programs to examine patterns and relationships found in healthcare systems such as Medicaid and Medicare. Using the collected information, MFCU can better scan for potential fraudulent activity.
Normally, MFCUs across the nation are not allowed to use federal matching funds to scan for fraudulent activity because the screening is primarily delegated to Medicaid state agencies.
Read the Department of Human and Health Service's news release on Secretary Sebelius' waiver.
Read more coverage about healthcare fraud:
- 10 Physician Fraud and Abuse Cases Making Headlines
- California Chiropractor Sentenced for Healthcare Fraud
- New Jersey Neurologist Indicted for Healthcare Fraud
Data mining gives Florida's MFCU the ability to use algorithms and other software programs to examine patterns and relationships found in healthcare systems such as Medicaid and Medicare. Using the collected information, MFCU can better scan for potential fraudulent activity.
Normally, MFCUs across the nation are not allowed to use federal matching funds to scan for fraudulent activity because the screening is primarily delegated to Medicaid state agencies.
Read the Department of Human and Health Service's news release on Secretary Sebelius' waiver.
Read more coverage about healthcare fraud:
- 10 Physician Fraud and Abuse Cases Making Headlines
- California Chiropractor Sentenced for Healthcare Fraud
- New Jersey Neurologist Indicted for Healthcare Fraud