
THAT's what I'm talking about.
Obama using 'bounty hunters' to root out fraud President Barack Obama said Tuesday he'll bring in high-tech bounty hunters
to help root out health care fraud, grabbing a populist idea with bipartisan backing in his final push to overhaul the system.
....The bounty hunters in this case would be private auditors armed with sophisticated computer programs to scan Medicare and Medicaid billing data for patterns of bogus claims. The auditors would get to keep part of any funds they recover for the government. The White House said a pilot program run by Medicare in California, New York and Texas recouped $900 million for taxpayers from 2005-2008.
The presidential memorandum Obama will sign Wednesday directs Cabinet secretaries and agency heads throughout the government to intensify their use of private auditors under current legal authority. Obama also announced his support for a bipartisan bill that would expand the ways government agencies can pay for such audits using recovered funds. Among its co-sponsors is Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., Obama's GOP opponent in the 2008 presidential race.
The White House estimates that expanded use of private audits throughout the government could recoup at least $2 billion for taxpayers over the next three years. Much of that would come from Medicare and Medicaid, which have to scramble to keep up with the endless proliferation of new fraud schemes.
Obama his placing a heavy emphasis on battling waste and fraud in his final health care push. The repackaged bill he announced last month contained more than dozen anti-fraud ideas. A common theme linking them is the increased use of technology to spot suspicious billing patterns and keep track of service providers with a track record of problems. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100310/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_health_care_overhaulAND....
For a few examples..
Comprehensive Sanctions Database.
The President’s Proposal establishes a comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid sanctions database, overseen by the HHS Inspector General. This database will provide a central storage location, allowing for law enforcement access to information related to past sanctions on health care providers, suppliers and related entities. (Source: H.R. 3400, “Empowering Patients First Act” (Republican Study Committee bill))
Registration and Background Checks of Billing Agencies and Individuals.
In an effort to decrease dishonest billing practices in the Medicare program, the President’s Proposal will assist in reducing the number of individuals and agencies with a history of fraudulent activities participating in Federal health care programs. It ensures that entities that bill for Medicare on behalf of providers are in good standing. It also strengthens the Secretary’s ability to exclude from Medicare individuals who knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims. (Source: H.R. 3970, “Medical Rights & Reform Act” ( Kirk bill))
Expanded Access to the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.
Increasing access to the health care integrity data bank will improve coordination and information sharing in anti-fraud efforts. The President’s Proposal broadens access to the data bank to quality control and peer review organizations and private plans that are involved in furnishing items or services reimbursed by Federal health care program. It includes criminal penalties for misuse. (Source: H.R. 3970, “Medical Rights & Reform Act” (Kirk bill))
Liability of Medicare Administrative Contractors for Claims Submitted by Excluded Providers.
In attacking fraud, it is critical to ensure the contractors that are paying claims are doing their utmost to ensure excluded providers do not receive Medicare payments. Therefore, the President’s Proposal provision holds Medicare Administrative Contractors accountable for Federal payment for individuals or entities excluded from the Federal programs or items or services for which payment is denied. (Source: H.R. 3970, “Medical Rights & Reform Act” (Kirk bill))
http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-care-meeting/proposal/whatsnew/waste-fraud-abuse 