From the Law Offices of
Robert Malove:
Most people associate white collar crime with blockbuster court cases like Enron. But did you know there’s another type of white collar crime that is being perpetrated thousands of times daily and costing us an estimated 272 billion dollars a year? The crime is healthcare fraud and it is rapidly growing more popular, attracting novice to seasoned criminals, and spreading like a cancer across our country. The devastating effects of this crime wave are being felt by every tax payer. We are all victims and paying the price through higher healthcare premiums and out-of-pocket expenses, reductions in our coverages, faulty medical care, and worse.
Despite efforts to hasten it’s growth, healthcare fraud is rapidly spreading. Although policies have been put in place to reduce healthcare fraud, we, the tax payers, may be the most effective deterrent. There are many things you can do to help prevent healthcare fraud, which we will cover later. First, let’s dig into exactly what is happening and why. ...
#1 Upcoding: This is when a service is provided or a diagnosis is made, but the provider bills insurance for a more expensive service, or more serious diagnosis. So say you went in for a mammogram and your doctor then turns around and bills your insurance, or Medicare, for a more expensive type of mammogram and, or, additional tests. These tests will show up and become part of your permanent medical record. You could end up receiving care you don’t need based upon these types of fictitious charges. ...
Full story with many other good tips
here.
