Scamming the System

" Hi and welcome back reform advocates point to Medicare as an example of government run health care done right. But is it really done right the program loses an estimated sixty billion dollars a year because of fraud. Is this what we can expect from a so called public government run option. And what's being done to cut down on Medicare fraud if it's so -- Lewis Morris is here for an inside look do you do you lead attorney for the health and human services offices of the inspector general Lewis and it's great to have you today. Thanks for having -- okay so the estimate is that there's sixty billion dollars worth of Medicaid fraud every year in the system. How much of that do you actually catch."

" Well that's sixty billion is health care fraud both private and public. This last year alone -- Folks at the Office of Inspector General. Brought back -- billion dollars. That we took from the broadcasters. And we are building an effective strategy to target. The fraud schemes even more we using cutting edge technology. Innovative enforcement strategies like strike forces -- as part of an effort to combat this fraud."

" Lewis what what do you say to critics who say okay. Right now you're only able to detect a fraction of the fraud and and -- prosecute those people. But if the government health care system gets bigger that means there's going to be more fraud and -- we hire more investigators more people to track down the evil --"

" Well I think we've got to recognize that the Medicare program was such a -- what's on the basis of trust. Relying on the integrity of the doctors and hospitals and other providers and while the vast majority of those providers are honest. And work with us unfortunately the criminal element is starting to prey on the Medicare program chair so we've got -- in a different strategies we've got to move from -- and chase. Given the money I hope to catch him. To preventative and detection strategy right in the IG is doing that. You know it's great news but for every dollar that is spent on the OIG and the department of justice and we bring back eight dollars so it's a great return on the investment."

" Yeah but that billions are still slip -- through. -- we had a guy on our program on Friday who said that he got a whole bunch of hit he got bills he he discovered the Medicaid. Paid out. Thousands of dollars. Two companies in California where he's never even visited four -- that never were performed on him. It seems awfully easy. To commit this fraud."

" It is and what are the reasons why we need citizens like you guest on Friday to help us. Is for them to look at their bills look at their medical Medicare or explanations of benefits. If they see something wrong first of all call the provider sometimes there are innocent billing mistakes you know but if their sense of it is that there is fraud. They should be calling inspector general -- the watchdog for the Medicare program. And they should let us help them like this fraud -- Lewis. People are watching and they wanna call it what -- should they call yet. 1800. It's a -- tips T -- PS is the hot -- to the inspector general's office and those calls are handled by a group of operators. Much of the information is passed on to the Medicare program for further development great and if it looks like it's fraud we put our agents and -- on the case well that's a terrific news let's hope that you're able to crack down on it. Lewis Morris chief counsel for the Office of Inspector General we thank you very much -- fine thank you sir. Thanks for having -- Also -- TV land if you've gotten billing UC -- you what you believe is fraud email us right now and let us know we might investigate your story meanwhile."