The House has passed a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. representatives Wally Herger (R-Calif.) and Pete Stark (D-Calif.) aimed at strengthening anti-fraud measures, according to a news release by Mr. Stark.
The legislation, which awaits action in the Senate, addresses two key concerns related to Medicare fraud. Currently, executives from companies that are convicted of fraud can be excluded from Medicare but cannot be barred from federal health programs if he or she has left the company by the time of a conviction. The proposed legislation would give the Office of the Inspector General the authority to ban the executives from doing business with Medicare even after they have left convicted companies.
The bill also addresses the concern over companies engaging in fraud that set up shell companies to shield themselves from liability, which only lead to criminal settlements with the shell organizations and not the parent company itself. The proposed legislation in this circumstance would give the OIG the authority to bar the parent companies from working with Medicare.
Read Mr. Stark's news release about the passing of the Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures Act.
Read other coverage about legislation on healthcare fraud:
- U.S. Representatives Herger and Stark Introduce Bipartisan Bill Aimed to Fortify Anti-Fraud Measures
- New York Senator Introduces Bill to Stop Healthcare Fraud
- Florida Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Medicare Fraud Bill
The legislation, which awaits action in the Senate, addresses two key concerns related to Medicare fraud. Currently, executives from companies that are convicted of fraud can be excluded from Medicare but cannot be barred from federal health programs if he or she has left the company by the time of a conviction. The proposed legislation would give the Office of the Inspector General the authority to ban the executives from doing business with Medicare even after they have left convicted companies.
The bill also addresses the concern over companies engaging in fraud that set up shell companies to shield themselves from liability, which only lead to criminal settlements with the shell organizations and not the parent company itself. The proposed legislation in this circumstance would give the OIG the authority to bar the parent companies from working with Medicare.
Read Mr. Stark's news release about the passing of the Strengthening Medicare Anti-Fraud Measures Act.
Read other coverage about legislation on healthcare fraud:
- U.S. Representatives Herger and Stark Introduce Bipartisan Bill Aimed to Fortify Anti-Fraud Measures
- New York Senator Introduces Bill to Stop Healthcare Fraud
- Florida Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Medicare Fraud Bill