Last week, the OIG reported charges against 301 individuals for approximately $900 Million in false billing as part of the largest false claim takedown. The takedown focused on a broad range of providers including home health companies, physicians, physical and occupational therapy clinics, infusion clinics, mental health providers, DME suppliers, and compounding pharmacies. Of importance, the takedown focused on staying “a step ahead of emerging fraud trends, including drug diversion, and fraud involving compounded medications and hospice care.”
These health care providers will continue to be under the microscope for evidence of health care fraud. It is important that providers understand the significance of the increased enforcement focus on health care fraud. Since the inception of the Health Care Fraud Prevention and enforcement Action Team (HEAT) in 2007, over 2,900 defendants have collectively falsely billed the Medicare program for over $8.9 billion.
Read more about the massive OIG takedown in the organization’s press release.
By Denise Bloch
