It seems that fraud is simply everywhere no matter where you are and the worst thing is, perpetrators of fraud can find ways to exploit even the most basic of human needs. This is what came to light when Attorney general Jeff Sessions announced that more than 400 individuals were found to be involved in health care fraud and opioid scams that cost about $1.3 billion. The frauds were pulled off by false billing.
The Takedown Operation of the Largest Health Care Fraud in American History
Attorney General Jeff Sessions dubbed the collective action as the largest takedown operation concerning health care fraud in American history. He says that the fraud included some pharmacists, doctors, and nurses who all chose to violate their oaths to their patients and their profession and succumbed to the call of greed.
6 doctors from Michigan were accused in the scheme because they were prescribing unnecessary opioids. A rehab facility in Florida also allegedly recruited addicts with visits to strip clubs and gift cards. They are involved in $58 million worth of false tests and treatments.
Officials who are in charge of this case shared that out of everyone charged in the schemes, there are more than 120 individuals involved in the illegal prescription and distribution of narcotic painkillers. This is worse than it seems because prescription opioids such as those used in the scheme are behind the epidemic of the deadliest drug overdose in US history. Just in 2015, more than 52,000 Americans died from opioid overdose – a number that will continue to rise according to experts.
More Disastrous Than Initially Thought
Acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe shared that they know of cases where addicts were packed into waiting rooms with no room to sit on (because they were so packed) just to wait for the prescriptions. He shared that situations like this are nothing but a death sentence.
Sessions shared that as a result of the investigations; about 300 health care providers in the U.S. are either suspended or banned from taking part in federal health care programs. He also shared that he observed that there seems to be a general feeling of disregard or simply not caring on the part of the health care workers regarding the disastrous consequences of their greed. He added that by their actions, the greedy health care practitioners did not only enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers who shell out the money but also endangered people by starting and feeding addictions.
Not Just in the US
Health care fraud like in today?s post happens everywhere, even here in Canada. Law officials everywhere are still grappling with the best way problems like this can be discovered and addressed.
Health insurance and Medicare (and their equivalents) in various nations are being charged falsely, resulting in fraud amounting to millions of dollars. Remember that it is taxpayers like you who pay for the money misused in fraud like this resulting in help not reaching those who really need it.
What Can You Do?
Be vigilant and proactive. If you notice something is off and suspect that fraud might be at play, report to the proper authorities. If you need help gathering evidence so you won?t end up filing a false scam report, we offer our private investigation services for that. Contact us to know more.
