Wisconsin Senior Medicare Patrol

The Department of Justice, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) together have been investigating the case of $200 Million in fraudulent claims to Medicare under the guidance of American Therapeutic Corporation (ATC); its management company, Medlink Professional Management Group Inc.; and the American Sleep Institute (ASI). Involved in the scheme [...]

A radiology physician and his wife are credited with uncovering a massive case of health care fraud, after they called the government and filed a qui tam whistleblower suit under the False Claims Act. Detroit’s Universal Imaging, Inc., it’s current and former owner, and primary care physician Gwendolyn Washington are named in a $150 Million [...]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) works to promote fraud awareness. They acknowledge that seniors are often an easy target for those looking to take advantage of others. They provide tips for avoiding fraud with their Common Fraud Schemes webpage.  The page highlights a variety of frauds that are often perpetrated against seniors. If you [...]

After reviewing the information reported by agencies across the U.S. throughout 2011, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has named the top 10 scams of the year.  They’ve broken the information into nine categories. Included is everything from credit theft to social media scams to mortgage fraud. Plus, they’ve named a scam of the year.  In addition to providing general [...]

According to an article by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at Syracuse University, the Department of Justice had a record breaking year for health care fraud prosecutions in 2011. It claims monetary recoveries from such crimes are also on the rise. There were 1,235 new cases reported, the most in the twenty years since [...]

Detecting Medicare fraud is more easily done when recipients are proactive about trying to avoid it. One of the best ways to do that is to pay close attention to the statements that are sent by Medicare every few months.  The following excerpt from the Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol Program highlights some of the red [...]

Wisconsin’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) is sharing concerns that new government changes to mortgage rules could be a starting point for those looking to take advantage of others.  The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is meant to allow some people who are struggling to catch up with their mortgage payments to refinance at lower interest rates. Scam artists have [...]

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) is currently looking for more than a hundred healthcare fugitives who are charged with defrauding Medicare and Medicaid out of 400 million dollars. OIG’s most wanted fugitives website highlights the top criminals on its list. Visitors to the website can view photos and read descriptions [...]

Wisconsin SMP is looking for volunteers who are interested in writing articles for the monthly Fraud Alert!, other newsletters, and newspapers. Written articles on the prevention of healthcare fraud are a great way to help share the SMP message with Wisconsin’s Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers, and the professionals who serve them. All writers would work closely with Wisconsin [...]