MEDICARE FRAUD ADDED TO COUNTY TASK FORCE AGENDA.Byline: Troy Anderson Staff Writer A health care fraud task force that saves taxpayers $27 million annually will be expanded to investigate Medicare fraud Medicare fraud Medifraud Medical practice Any unlawful act which results in the inappropriate billing of Medicare for services by a health care provider–eg, physicians, hospitals and affiliated providers. See Medicare. , Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County supervisors decided Tuesday. The supervisors established a new agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Noun 1. Department of Health and Human Services - the United States federal department that administers all federal programs dealing with health and welfare; created in 1979 Health and Human Services, HHS so that Los Angeles County's Health Authority Law Enforcement Task Force can add Medicare fraud to its list of illegal activities it can investigate. The federal Office of Inspector General Noun 1. Office of Inspector General - the investigative arm of the Federal Trade Commission OIG independent agency - an agency of the United States government that is created by an act of Congress and is independent of the executive departments will add one special agent to the task force on a part-time basis specifically to assist in Medicare fraud investigations. The board created the HALT team in 1998 to crack down on Medi-Cal fraud, unlicensed doctors and clinics illegally practicing medicine and dispensing pharmaceuticals. ``Many operators of illegal pharmaceuticals are selling outdated, substandard drugs and are providing a space for unlicensed doctors to practice,'' Supervisor Gloria Molina Gloria Molina is a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, and the current chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.[1] Molina grew up as one of ten children in the Los Angeles suburb of Pico Rivera, California, U.S. said. ``So far, our HALT team has successfully identified over $25 million in questionable Medi-Cal billings but the word is out and now illegal pharmaceutical operators are resorting to Medicare fraud. ``These operators simply pick up their 'practice' and move elsewhere. They prey on largely immigrant communities and jeopardize people's safety under the guise of protecting their health.'' Since beginning undercover operations in 1999, the team has conducted more than 1,000 investigations, made 743 arrests, closed more than 70 businesses, confiscated con·fis·cate tr.v. con·fis·cat·ed, con·fis·cat·ing, con·fis·cates 1. To seize (private property) for the public treasury. 2. To seize by or as if by authority. See Synonyms at appropriate. adj. more than $15 million worth of illegal pharmaceuticals, identified more than $25 million in Medi-Cal fraud and $3 million in fraudulent Medicare billing. ``I think we are making a pretty big dent, but there is still a significant amount of fraud out there and we are doing our best to get it,'' said Sharon Ryzak, chief of the Audit Compliance Division in the county health department. In a recent case, the team investigated five unlicensed medical clinics in Glendale and Burbank. The operators were suspected of stealing more than $25 million from the Medicare program, said Molina's spokeswoman, Roxane Marquez. Search and arrest warrants for 19 businesses and residences resulted in 10 arrests and five medical clinic closures. The team also seized $420,000 in cash, $1 million in jewelry and 41 firearms - including high-caliber assault weapons, Marquez said. ``We were a little surprised by all the guns,'' Ryzak said. ``I don't think they expected to find all that money either.'' The team is working with the newly formed Fraud Interdiction INTERDICTION, civil law. A legal restraint upon a person incapable of managing his estate, because of mental incapacity, from signing any deed or doing any act to his own prejudice, without the consent of his curator or interdictor. 2. Program in the District Attorney's Office to prosecute suspects on fraud, tax evasion The process whereby a person, through commission of Fraud, unlawfully pays less tax than the law mandates. Tax evasion is a criminal offense under federal and state statutes. A person who is convicted is subject to a prison sentence, a fine, or both. , money laundering The process of taking the proceeds of criminal activity and making them appear legal. Laundering allows criminals to transform illegally obtained gain into seemingly legitimate funds. and assault weapons charges. Seizures of assets, including cash, automobiles, jewelry and homes, is expected soon, Marquez said. ``We have saved thousands of lives and have saved taxpayers millions of dollars in several of the programs - Medicare and Medi-Cal,'' said Sachi Hamai, director of the Administrative Services Division in the county health department. Troy Anderson, (213) 974-8985 troy.anderson(at)dailynews.com |
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