Officials probe potential Medicaid abuse in Escambia

Published: 2009-06-30 14:34:47
Author: Pensacola News Journal | June 12, 2009

Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration announced today an investigation of Durable Medical Equipment providers in Escambia County for the potential abuse of Medicaid billings.

The investigation focused on Medicaid claims paid for home oxygen equipment and supplies. Preliminary results of the investigation suggest Medicaid paid for equipment that was missing, unused or never received by patients, a Health Care Administration news release said.

Investigators from the Health Care Administration reviewed claims paid by Medicaid and interviews with DME providers and Medicaid recipients in Escambia County.

Medicaid Program Integrity investigators are reviewing the investigation results to determine if billing errors, abuse of the system, or Medicaid fraud are to blame for the discrepancies, the release said.

The Program Integrity office and Florida’s regional Medicaid offices are working to further educate providers and prevent future overpayments.

“As the cost of health care continues to rise, it is important that we ensure the integrity of the Medicaid program stays intact,” said Holly Benson, Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, in the release.

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