Scamming the System

" All right 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 he's the 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 me it's 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 are. 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 here is 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 unless we hire more investigators more people to track down the evildoers."

" Well I think we've got to recognize that the Medicare program was such a step was 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 -- us unfortunately the criminal element is starting to prey on the Medicare program chair so we've got engaged in a different strategies we've got to move from the pain and chase. Given the money and hope to catch him. To preventative and detection strategy me and 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 who we bring back eight dollars so it's a great return on the investment."

" We haven't -- billions are still slipping through. A -- we had a guy on our program on Friday who said that he got a whole bunch of again he got bills he he discovered the Medicaid. Paid out. Thousands of dollars. Two companies in California where he's never even visited -- Tass said -- never were performed on him. It seems awfully easy. To commit this fraud."

" It is and one of the reasons why we need citizens like you -- on Friday to help us. Is for them to look at their bills look at their medical or Medicare or explanations of benefits. If they see something wrong first of all call the provider sometimes are innocent billing mistakes yeah but if their sense of it is that there's fraud. They should be calling inspector general where the watchdog for the Medicare program. And should let us help them like this fraud -- Lewis. People are watching and they wanna call it what number should they call yet. 1800. 88 guest tips TI PS is the hotline 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 for -- thank you sir. Thanks for having -- Also updated TV land if you've gotten billing UC -- what you believe is fraud email us right now and let us know we might investigate your story meanwhile."