Medicare Blog

where to file a complaint on behalf of your spouse on medicare fraud, waste and abuse

by Sonia Shields Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

Help Fight Fraud by Reporting It
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) Hotline accepts tips and complaints from all sources on potential fraud, waste, and abuse.

How do I file a complaint against Medicare fraud?

A copy of the complaint, with a written disclosure statement of substantially all material evidence and information of Medicare and/or Medicaid Fraud in the plaintiff's possession, must be confidentially served on the US Attorney General and the US Attorney for the district in which the complaint is brought.

How do I file a member or provider complaint?

Download the Member Complaint form (PDF) or Provider Complaint form (PDF), print and mail or fax the completed form to: You can also call us toll-free to tell us about your problem.

How do I file a complaint against a hospital?

If you get an infection while you are in the hospital or have problems getting the right medication, you can file a complaint with the Joint Commission . This group certifies many U.S. hospitals' safety and security practices and looks into complaints about patients' rights. It does not oversee medical care or how the hospital may bill you.

How do I file a complaint against Social Security Administration?

Submit A Report You can use this online form to report allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse concerning SSA programs and operations. Our office also addresses allegations of criminal activity and serious misconduct involving Social Security employees.

Which of the following are the ways to report potential fraud waste and abuse in Medicare?

To report suspected Medicare fraud, call toll free 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). Medicare fraud happens when Medicare is billed for services or supplies you never got.

What are some ways to report potential fraud waste and abuse?

There are several ways to contact the Hotline:Toll-free phone: 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477), 8:00 am - 5:30 pm, Eastern Time, Monday-Friday.Fax: 1-800-223-8164 (10 pages or less, please)TTY: 1-800-377-4950.Mail: HHS TIPS Hotline. P.O. Box 23489. Washington, DC 20026. (Note: please do not send any original documents)

Who oversees the prevention of fraud waste and abuse in the healthcare industry?

Since its 1976 establishment, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has been at the forefront of the Nation's efforts to fight waste, fraud and abuse and to improving the efficiency of Medicare, Medicaid and more than 100 other Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) programs.

What resources are available to report Medicare fraud?

​The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) asks that anyone suspecting Medi-Cal fraud, waste, or abuse to call the DHCS Medi-Cal Fraud Hotline at 1-800-822-6222. If you feel this is an Emergency please call 911 for immediate assistance. The call is free and the caller may remain anonymous.

What is considered Medicare abuse?

What Is Medicare Abuse? Abuse describes practices that may directly or indirectly result in unnecessary costs to the Medicare Program. Abuse includes any practice that does not provide patients with medically necessary services or meet professionally recognized standards of care.

What's the difference between fraud waste and abuse?

What is it exactly? Well, fraud is when someone intentionally lies to a health insurance company, Medicaid or Medicare to get money. Waste is when someone overuses health services carelessly. And abuse happens when best medical practices aren't followed, leading to expenses and treatments that aren't needed.

What agency fights Medicare fraud?

the Office of the Inspector GeneralHave your Medicare card or Medicare Number and the claim or MSN ready. Contacting the Office of the Inspector General. Visit tips.oig.hhs.gov or call 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users can call 1-800-377-4950.

Which entity investigates suspected cases of fraud?

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is tasked to investigate suspected healthcare fraud activities and report cases to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal or civil actions. They are also tasked to seek civil monetary penalties and assess if such Stark Violations are part of the exceptions.

What is the federal False Claim Act?

Whistleblower Protection Under the False Claims Act The federal False Claims Act protects employees who report a violation under the False Claims Act from discrimination, harassment, suspension or termination of employment as a result of reporting possible fraud.

How do you handle Medicare fraud?

If you suspect Medicare fraud, do any of these: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Call the fraud hotline of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users can call 1-800-377-4950.

How do I report to CMS?

How to File a Complaint.CMS, on behalf of HHS, enforces HIPAA Administrative Simplification requirements.Go to ASETT.CMS.GOV.Upon logging in, click the "New Complaint" button on the welcome page.Click “Complaint Type” and select the issue you are reporting.More items...

What is a complaint?

File a complaint (grievance) Filing complaints about a doctor, hospital, or provider. Filing complaints about your health or drug plan. Filing a complaint about your quality of care. Complaints about your dialysis or kidney transplant care.

What is the difference between a complaint and an appeal?

What's the difference between a complaint and an appeal? A complaint is about the quality of care you got or are getting. For example, you can file a complaint if you have a problem calling the plan, or you're unhappy with how a staff person at the plan treated you. You file an appeal if you have an issue with a plan's refusal to cover a service, ...

Can you file a complaint with Medicare?

You can file a complaint if you have concerns about the quality of care or other services you get from a Medicare provider. How you file a complaint depends on what your complaint is about.

Who can report Medicare fraud?

Patients should inform when something is wrong but medical professionals are in the best position to have knowledge of and report Medicare Fraud. Doctors, Specialists, Administrators, Nurses, Pharmacist or any medical employee can report. Working in the healthcare system provides them an insider’s knowledge of the right ...

How to report suspicious activity to Medicare?

There are two ways to privately report conduct to Medicare or the Inspector general. Calling - 1- 800-Medicare or 1-800-HHS-TIPS. Online Form submission ( Link) List of information to have ready: Medical Providers name and ID number.

What is Medicare FCA?

Medicare FCA Claims for Larger Rewards. Another option for individuals is submitting a claim using the False Claims Act. The FCA provides rewards and protection for people who report fraud against any Federal Government program. Civil health care programs are covered under the FCA.

Is it illegal to make false claims to Medicare?

Public programs fall under the protection of the Federal False Claims Act (FCA). Knowingly making false claims to these public programs for medical treatments, services or drugs is illegal.

Filing Status

Confidentiality and Anonymity is not requested. If necessary, you may contact me for additional information and I do not place any restrictions on the release of my contact information. Please fill out the contact form below.

Section II Person Committing Fraud

Are you reporting a Private Individual or a Business? Private Individual Business

Section II-A Reporting a PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL

If you are reporting more than one individual, please add your information in the Summary Section below.

Section II-B Reporting a BUSINESS

If you are reporting more than one business, please add your information in the Summary Section below.

Section III Primary Victim Information

If you are reporting more than one victim, please add your information in the Summary Section below.

Section IV Summary (4000 Character limit)

Description* - Please furnish the facts of the alleged fraud. Include who, what, when, where, how and why. Your description is limited to 4000 characters. 4000 Characters Left

How to complain about poor care in a hospital?

How can I complain about poor medical care I received in a hospital? While you are in the hospital: If possible, first bring your complaints to your doctor and nurses. Be as specific as you can and ask how your complaint can be resolved. You can also ask to speak to a hospital social worker who can help solve problems and identify resources.

What do social workers do when patients leave the hospital?

Social workers also organize services and paperwork when patients leave the hospital. If you are covered by Medicare, you can file a complaint about your care with your State's Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) . These groups act on behalf of Medicare to address complaints about care provided to people covered by Medicare.

How long does it take to appeal a hospital discharge?

You should get a form from the hospital titled "An Important Message from Medicare," which explains how to appeal a hospital discharge decision. Appeals are free and generally resolved in 2 to 3 days. The hospital cannot discharge you until the appeal is completed.

Can you appeal a discharge plan?

The discharge planner will take your concerns to the doctor who makes this decision. If you are covered by Medicare or by a Medicare managed care plan, you can file an appeal about a discharge while you are still in the hospital.

Can a hospital discharge you until appeal is completed?

The hospital cannot discharge you until the appeal is completed. When you get your hospital bill: First, ask your doctor or the hospital's billing department to explain the charges. Find out how the hospital handles complaints about bills, and make your case. If you still have questions, you should contact the Medicare carrier ...

How to complain to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission?

You can also complain to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) by calling toll-free at 1-800-252-8263. We want you to tell us about your complaint. We will not be unfair to you because you complained. We want you to be happy with your health plan.

How long does it take to file a complaint with Superior?

If you have a complaint, Superior will have an answer to your complaint within thirty (30) days of the date we get your complaint. Most of the time we can help you right away. There is no time limit for filing a complaint with Superior.

How to contact Superior Member Services?

For reporting abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children, the elderly or people with disabilities, please visit the Texas Abuse Hotline or call 1-800-252-5400.

What is Medicare fraud?

Medicare/Medicaid fraud means a medical provider – doctor, dentist, hospital, hospice care provider or nursing home – makes a fraudulent reimbursement claim. The most common types of fraud include: billing for unnecessary procedures or procedures that are never performed; for unnecessary medical tests or tests never performed; or for unnecessary equipment.

What is a false claim?

Conspiring with others to get a false or fraudulent Medicare or Medicaid claim paid by the federal government; Knowingly using (or causing to be used) a false record or statement to conceal, avoid, or decrease an obligation to pay money or transmit property to the federal government.

What is Section 3730 H?

Under Section 3730 (h) of the False Claims Act, any employee who is discharged, demoted, harassed, or otherwise discriminated against because of lawful acts by the employee in furtherance of an action under the Act is entitled to all relief necessary to make the employee whole . Such relief may include:

What does knowingly mean in Medicare?

Knowingly presenting (or causing to be presented) to the federal government a false or fraudulent Medicare and/or Medicaid claim for payment; Knowingly using (or causing to be used) a false record or statement to get a Medicare of Medicaid claim paid by the federal government;

What are nursing home abuses?

Nursing home abuses. Illegal or improper marketing of drugs. Overcharging at pharmacies. “Off label” marketing of drugs. Paying kickbacks to have doctors, hospitals or other care-givers prescribe certain drugs or otherwise bill the Medicare and/or Medicaid. Kickbacks to obtain business.

Does Medicare fraud violate the False Claims Act?

Medicare or Medicaid Fraud violates the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act is 31 USC § 3729-3733. The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act allow persons and entities with evidence of Medicare and/or Medicaid Fraud against federal programs or contracts to sue the wrongdoer on behalf of the United States government.

Can you file a qui tam lawsuit?

Any persons or entities with evidence of fraud against federal programs or contracts may file a qui tam lawsuit. However, if the government or a private party has already filed a False Claims Act lawsuit based on the same evidence of Medicare and/or Medicaid Fraud as you, you cannot bring a lawsuit.

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