Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox: Medicaid Whistleblower Protection Bill on Its Way to Governor for Signature
Posted on: Tuesday, 13 December 2005, 18:00 CST
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney General Mike Cox applauded the Legislature's passage of The Medicaid Whistleblower Protection legislation today. Cox and the bill's sponsor, Rep. David Law (R-Commerce Township), unveiled the legislation in March 2005 as part of the Attorney General's ongoing fight against millions in Medicaid fraud.
"When people commit Medicaid fraud, they not only violate the law, but they steal from the people who need and deserve the help that Medicaid provides," said Cox. "With the enactment of this bill, my office will have the necessary tools to detect and prosecute fraudulent activity and see that the funds get back into the system where they belong."
The statute amends the Medicaid False Claims Act to provide whistleblowers with legal protection, as well as a financial incentive to those willing to bring a civil suit against and assist in the investigation and prosecution of a violator of the Medicaid False Claims Act.
National studies on Medicaid fraud estimate that between three and ten percent of a state's Medicaid costs are fraudulent claims. For Michigan, this equates to anywhere between $225 million - $800 million. In addition to the savings to the Medicaid budget, the successful prosecution of the fraud will result in penalties awarded to the State - penalties that are three times the amount of restitution.
"Each year, Medicaid fraud costs the state millions of dollars, money that Michigan's most vulnerable citizens rely on to provide them with vital health care services," said Law. "Every dollar must be carefully protected, and with the enactment of this bill into law, it can be."
The Attorney General's Health Care Fraud Division is one of 49 federally certified Medicaid Fraud Control Units. Medicaid fraud investigations and prosecutions include false billings, unlawful delivery of controlled substances, practicing medicine without a license, kickbacks, and bribery schemes. Abuse and neglect investigations and prosecutions include physical assault, criminal sexual conduct, identity theft, theft of residents' property and funds, and harmful neglect in Michigan residential care facilities. The division also initiates civil actions, including asset forfeiture and claims for Medicaid overpayments.
To report Medicaid provider fraud or identity theft/patient abuse in a resident care facility, call the Attorney General's 24-hour Hotline at 800-24-ABUSE (800-242-2873); e-mail hcf@michigan.gov; or visit the Attorney General's Web site at http://www.michigan.gov/ag.
Michigan Attorney General
CONTACT: Rusty Hills of Michigan Attorney General's office,+1-517-373-8060
Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/ag
Source: PRNewswire
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