
Oklahoma Medicare Fraud Continues to Rise
Oklahoma Medicare Fraud Cases More than Triple
Over the last three years, Oklahoma fraud lawyers have seen a significant increase in the number of Medicare fraud cases. One recent news report claims that in Oklahoma, Medicare fraud has increased by 350% in the last three years, resulting in seven criminal cases and thirty eight civil suits totaling more than $22 million in settlements. According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, nearly $24 billion dollars are spent on improper, inaccurate, or fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims annually in the United States. With such a heavy financial toll on the government and taxpayers, fraud cases are investigated and prosecuted vigorously. The United States Department of Health and Human Services reports that the federal government saves $1.55 for every $1 invested in fighting fraud.Medicare Fraud and Medicaid Fraud in Oklahoma
Medicare fraud and Medicaid (SoonerCare) fraud can take many forms, and while the fraud is generally perpetrated by the health care provider, patients can be involved as well. The most common types of health care fraud include:- Phantom Billing - The medical provider bills Medicare for procedures, tests, or equipment that is unnecessary or never performed.
- Patient Billing - The patient receives kickbacks and benefits for allowing his or her Medicare number to be used for fraudulent billing.
- Upcoding - The medical provider bills for more expensive procedures and equipment than is actually used or delivered.