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PORTLAND, OR (June 2, 2009) – According to the Washington Post, the HHS and the Department of Justice launched a new task-force named the “Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team” to increase the detection and prevention of Medicaid fraud and abuse, effective May 20, 2009. The new team will use electronic claims data and the threat of federal prosecution, to search for “unusual billing problems.”
Included in the new task-force are "Medicaid integrity auditors" that will visit providers coast-to-coast and identify overpayments in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities, the Healthcare Compliance Association reports.
To assist healthcare providers in detecting and preventing fraud and abuse, BridgeFront has developed an economical self-paced course, available via any internet-connected computer. The course and exam can even be edited by organizations to include specific information, such as a provider’s current fraud and abuse prevention policy.
"Educating staff on the specifics of fraud and abuse is an organization’s most powerful weapon in the detection and prevention of violations," says Peter N. Cizik, CEO of BridgeFront. "Our newest course teaches healthcare workers awareness of potential fraud and abuse, and provides examples of where to be most cautious. This course was written in cooperation with one of our premier clients and fully meets the government’s education mandate – keeping organizations in compliance with the regulation."
The Government Accounting Office (GAO) mandates that all hospitals and other providers with more than $5 million in annual Medicaid business comply with the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) – requiring them to educate employees and contractors about the False Claims Act, whistle-blower provisions and their own compliance efforts. If a provider fails to comply, they risk losing reimbursements.
Here are additional resources about the new government task-force:
For more information about healthcare fraud and abuse prevention, please contact BridgeFront by sending an email to info@bridgefront.com or simply call 866-447-2211.
About BridgeFront:
Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, BridgeFront helps healthcare organizations simplify and strengthen their staff education with a suite of targeted skill and competency building products, augmented by learning services – for a creative blended learning experience. BridgeFront is redefining healthcare education for thousands of healthcare providers around the world. Learn more by visiting www.BridgeFront.com.
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