Group items tagged

Firms that are paid tens of millions of dollars to root out Medicare fraud are bidding on contracts to investigate companies they are doing business with _ sometimes their own parent companies, according to a government report released Tuesday. Two-thirds of the companies that bid on contracts during a nearly year-and-a-half time period beginning in October of 2010 had financial ties to claims processors _ and in some cases also processed Medicare claims themselves, according to the study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' inspector-general. The report blames what it calls a flawed bidding system and an inadequate conflict-of-interest policy. The study looked into bids from about 100 potential contractors and subcontractors and found nearly 2,000 relationships that posed potential conflicts. For example, one company submitted a bid to investigate Medicare fraud even though its parent company provided two types of Medicare coverage in all 50 states. Medicare fraud contractors are often tied to a large number of providers, but the report doesn't break the numbers down by each contractor. The federal government requires Medicare fraud contractors to identify their potential conflicts and their financial interests in other companies when submitting bids, but the report found they often failed to provide all the information. Even when they did, it was sometimes inconsistent or unclear, according to the study, which urged federal health officials to adopt formal, clear guidelines for companies to follow when submitting bids. Tuesday's report examined only companies bidding on springhill group Medicare-fraud contracts, not those with existing contracts. But a 2011 congressional survey of companies providing Medicare reimbursements revealed that some had financial relationships with the contractors investigating them. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency overseeing Medicare, said in a statement that it

Firms that are paid tens of millions of dollars to root out Medicare fraud are bidding on contracts to investigate companies they are doing business with _ sometimes their own parent companies, according to a government report released Tuesday. Two-thirds of the companies that bid on contracts during a nearly year-and-a-half time period beginning in October of 2010 had financial ties to claims processors _ and in some cases also processed Medicare claims themselves, according to the study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' inspector-general. The report blames what it calls a flawed bidding system and an inadequate conflict-of-interest policy. The study looked into bids from about 100 potential contractors and subcontractors and found nearly 2,000 relationships that posed potential conflicts. For example, one company submitted a bid to investigate Medicare fraud even though its parent company provided two types of Medicare coverage in all 50 states. Medicare fraud contractors are often tied to a large number of providers, but the report doesn't break the numbers down by each contractor. The federal government requires Medicare fraud contractors to identify their potential conflicts and their financial interests in other companies when submitting bids, but the report found they often failed to provide all the information. Even when they did, it was sometimes inconsistent or unclear, according to the study, which urged federal health officials to adopt formal, clear guidelines for companies to follow when submitting bids. Tuesday's report examined only companies bidding on springhill group Medicare-fraud contracts, not those with existing contracts. But a 2011 congressional survey of companies providing Medicare reimbursements revealed that some had financial relationships with the contractors investigating them. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency overseeing Medicare, said in a statement that it

While Republicans lambast the cost of implementing health care reform, a new report shows that their efforts to repeal the law have come at a major cost to taxpayers -- to the tune of nearly $50 million. The House of Representatives again voted to repeal President Obama's signature health care law on Wednesday, marking the 33rd time Republicans have attempted to take down the legislation. The 32 previous repeal efforts faltered at the hands of the Democrat-controlled Senate; the latest attempt is unlikely to break that pattern. According to a report by CBS News, these efforts, widely viewed as symbolic political maneuvers, come with a high price tag. CBS' Nancy Cordes reported Wednesday that Republicans' many fruitless attempts at repealing the Affordable Care Act have taken up at least 80 hours of time on the House floor since 2010, amounting to two full work weeks. As the House, according to the Congressional Research Service, costs taxpayers $24 million a week to operate, those two weeks amounted to a total cost of approximately $48 million. The AP relays background on the GOP's repeal efforts: There was never any doubt that Republicans had the votes to pass the repeal in the House on Wednesday - or that it would die in the Senate, where Democrats possessed more than enough strength to block it. That's what happened in January 2011, when the newly installed Republican majority first voted to repeal the law a few days after taking office. In the months since, the GOP has taken repeated further swipes at the law, including votes to deny salaries to any government officials who enforce it, to abolish a board of officials charged with holding down Medicare costs in the future and to repeal a tax on medical devices. With the exception of a few relatively modest changes accepted by the White House, all the rest have died in the Senate. Although Republicans have remained vocal on repeal since the Supre

http://springhill-jacobmartin.blogspot.com/2012/07/springhill-group-springhillgroupbyrichp_17.html BLOGSPOT: Police Reports for Feb. 26, 2012 - The Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Police Reports http://springcaregroup.blogspot.com/2012/03/police-reports-for-feb-26-2012-bozeman.html The Bozeman Police Department reports for Sunday included the following: People were fighting in front of an East Main Street bar. Most fled when police arrived around 1:40 a.m. The man who was assaulted did not want to press charges. Police found "a man by himself drinking a beer and playing loud video games at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning" on Ida Avenue after a neighbor complained about the noise. A 21-year-old Belgrade man was cited for stealing two DVDs from a Catron Street store around 1:45 p.m. Read more . . . Spring Hill Hotels, Motels - Florida FL - Spring Hill Hotel Discounts http://springhillcaregroup.multiply.com/journal/item/57/Spring_Hill_Hotels_Motels_-_Florida_FL_-_Spring_Hill_Hotel_Discounts Spring Hill Hotels, Motels, and Reviews Hampton Inn Spring Hill - $$ 1344 Commercial Way, US 19, Spring Hill, FL 34606 Rated average by verified guestsMidscale, highway hotel near Weekiwatchee PreserveAlso near Buccaneer Bay3 floors, 732 rooms - elevatorOutdoor swimming pool - exercise roomFree Internet access -free parkingNot pet-friendly - no pets allowed - Jan 2011Hotel ReviewsConveniently located - worth the price - room was clean - liked the upscale linens - staff was friendly - appreciated the snacks and wine - nice hotelGood location and rates - room was cleanBeds were fabulous - the elevator carpet was filthyRoom was spacious - housekeeping was intrusive - not much selection a breakfastConvenient location - room wasn't clean enough - employees were friendly and pleasant - breakfast was a disappointment Read more. . . Boiler Parts, Boiler Repair & Boiler Room Supplies for Steam Heating (statesupply) - Boiler Room Supplies Boiler Gaskets, Unit Heaters an

BLOGSPOT: Police Reports for Feb. 26, 2012 - The Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Police Reports http://springcaregroup.blogspot.com/2012/03/police-reports-for-feb-26-2012-bozeman.html The Bozeman Police Department reports for Sunday included the following: People were fighting in front of an East Main Street bar. Most fled when police arrived around 1:40 a.m. The man who was assaulted did not want to press charges. Police found "a man by himself drinking a beer and playing loud video games at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning" on Ida Avenue after a neighbor complained about the noise. A 21-year-old Belgrade man was cited for stealing two DVDs from a Catron Street store around 1:45 p.m. Read more . . . Spring Hill Hotels, Motels - Florida FL - Spring Hill Hotel Discounts http://springhillcaregroup.multiply.com/journal/item/57/Spring_Hill_Hotels_Motels_-_Florida_FL_-_Spring_Hill_Hotel_Discounts Spring Hill Hotels, Motels, and Reviews Hampton Inn Spring Hill - $$ 1344 Commercial Way, US 19, Spring Hill, FL 34606 Rated average by verified guestsMidscale, highway hotel near Weekiwatchee PreserveAlso near Buccaneer Bay3 floors, 732 rooms - elevatorOutdoor swimming pool - exercise roomFree Internet access - free parkingNot pet-friendly - no pets allowed - Jan 2011Hotel ReviewsConveniently located - worth the price - room was clean - liked the upscale linens - staff was friendly - appreciated the snacks and wine - nice hotelGood location and rates - room was cleanBeds were fabulous - the elevator carpet was filthyRoom was spacious - housekeeping was intrusive - not much selection a breakfastConvenient location - room wasn't clean enough - employees were friendly and pleasant - breakfast was a disappointment

To help protect yourself and Medicare from fraud and identity theft you should report it. Whenever you get a payment notice from Medicare review it for errors. The notice shows what Medicare was billed for, what Medicare paid, and what (if anything) you owe. Make sure Medicare was not billed for health care services, medical supplies, or equipment you did not get. Before you contact your health care provider, Medicare, or the Inspector General's hotline, carefully review the facts, and have the following ready: * The provider's name and any identifying number you may have. * The service or item information you are questioning. * The date the service or item was supposedly given or delivered. * The payment amount approved and paid by Medicare. * The date on your Medicare Summary Notice. * Your name and Medicare number (as listed on your Medicare card). * The reason you think Medicare should not have paid. * Any other information you have showing why Medicare should not have paid. Report Errors HHS Office of Inspector General Phone 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) TTY: 1-800-377-4950 Internet Report Fraud Online Mail HHS Tips Hotline PO Box 23489 Washington, DC 20026-3489 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Phone 1-800-Medicare 1-877-486-2048 Mail Medicare Beneficiary Contact Center PO Box 39 Lawrence KS, 66044

To help protect yourself and Medicare from fraud and identity theft you should report it. Whenever you get a payment notice from Medicare review it for errors. The notice shows what Medicare was billed for, what Medicare paid, and what (if anything) you owe. Make sure Medicare was not billed for health care services, medical supplies, or equipment you did not get. Before you contact your health care provider, Medicare, or the Inspector General's hotline, carefully review the facts, and have the following ready: * The provider's name and any identifying number you may have. * The service or item information you are questioning. * The date the service or item was supposedly given or delivered. * The payment amount approved and paid by Medicare. * The date on your Medicare Summary Notice. * Your name and Medicare number (as listed on your Medicare card). * The reason you think Medicare should not have paid. * Any other information you have showing why Medicare should not have paid. Report Errors HHS Office of Inspector General Phone 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477) TTY: 1-800-377-4950 Internet Report Fraud Online Mail HHS Tips Hotline PO Box 23489 Washington, DC 20026-3489 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Phone 1-800-Medicare 1-877-486-2048 Mail Medicare Beneficiary Contact Center PO Box 39 Lawrence KS, 66044

To help protect yourself and Medicare from fraud and identity theft you should report it. Whenever you get a payment notice from Medicare review it for errors. The notice shows what Medicare was billed for, what Medicare paid, and what (if anything) you owe. Make sure Medicare was not billed for health care services, medical supplies, or equipment you did not get. Before you contact your health care provider, Medicare, or the Inspector General's hotline, carefully review the facts, and have the following ready: * The provider's name and any identifying number you may have. * The service or item information you are questioning. * The date the service or item was supposedly given or delivered. * The payment amount approved and paid by Medicare. * The date on your Medicare Summary Notice. * Your name and Medicare number (as listed on your Medicare card). * The reason you think Medicare should not have paid. * Any other information you have showing why Medicare should not have paid. http://springhillmedgroup.com/

Accusing the state government of taking arbitrary action against doctors in a uterus removal scam and considering passage of a draconian Nursing Home Act which will 'ruin private healthcare facilities', the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday warned of a state-wide agitation if the government failed to address the issue in time. State president of IMA Dr A Hamdani said: "Doctors will take to the streets if the government does not make public the report of the probe against doctors in the controversial uterus removal scam within two days, besides amending the norms of the proposed Private Nursing Homes Act, which is intended to ruin the private health facilities in Chhattisgarh. "IMA president of the Raipur chapter Dr Ajay Sahay said: "Only the Medical Council of India has the power to suspend the licence of a medical practitioner. The state government does not have that power, but it deliberately acted against private doctors before probing the case." He added: "Now the final decision in the case is being delayed, which will take away the doctors' legal right to challenge the decision in court." An unfazed health minister Amar Agrawal said: "The government will not succumb to pressure. The probe will take its time. The guilty will not be spared." Private doctors reportedly removed the uterus of hundreds of women, mostly in rural areas, telling the victims that if their uterus was not removed, it could cause cancer. The IMA Chhattisgarh state unit has warned of a stir if the government doesn't declare the report of the probe and revokes the suspension of licences of doctors by August 8. Hamdani and Sahay said they will meet chief minister Raman Singh, health minister Amar Agrawal and officials of the health department to resolve the issue.

Accusing the state government of taking arbitrary action against doctors in a uterus removal scam and considering passage of a draconian Nursing Home Act which will 'ruin private healthcare facilities', the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday warned of a state-wide agitation if the government failed to address the issue in time. State president of IMA Dr A Hamdani said: "Doctors will take to the streets if the government does not make public the report of the probe against doctors in the controversial uterus removal scam within two days, besides amending the norms of the proposed Private Nursing Homes Act, which is intended to ruin the private health facilities in Chhattisgarh. "IMA president of the Raipur chapter Dr Ajay Sahay said: "Only the Medical Council of India has the power to suspend the licence of a medical practitioner. The state government does not have that power, but it deliberately acted against private doctors before probing the case." He added: "Now the final decision in the case is being delayed, which will take away the doctors' legal right to challenge the decision in court." An unfazed health minister Amar Agrawal said: "The government will not succumb to pressure. The probe will take its time. The guilty will not be spared." Private doctors reportedly removed the uterus of hundreds of women, mostly in rural areas, telling the victims that if their uterus was not removed, it could cause cancer. The IMA Chhattisgarh state unit has warned of a stir if the government doesn't declare the report of the probe and revokes the suspension of licences of doctors by August 8. Hamdani and Sahay said they will meet chief minister Raman Singh, health minister Amar Agrawal and officials of the health department to resolve the issue.

Police have arrested more than 1,900 people suspected of making and selling fake medicine in a series of raids on underground production bases, the Ministry of Public Security said on Sunday. The nationwide operation, which started on July 25 and involved 18,000 police officers in 31 provincial-level regions, has crushed 24 networks manufacturing counterfeit medical products worth 1.16 billion yuan ($182 million). Police seized 205 million tablets designed to look like brand-name products for treating hypertension, diabetes, skin diseases and cancer, the ministry said. Some medicines contained sibutramine, a chemical used to treat obesity that was banned by the State Food and Drug Administration in 2010 due to fears that it increases the risk of cardiovascular problems. The suspects also put sedative and hallucinogenic chemicals into the tablets to deceive consumers into believing that the fake drugs had an effect. Police also found bottles of normal saline solution labeled as a rabies vaccine. The ministry said it has destroyed a large number of production sites and trade channels in the past two years. However, the crime is "far from being rooted out, as such criminals have come up with new methods", the ministry said in its online statement. The ministry also said it had found sham promotions of fake products on the Internet, television and magazines during the crackdown. A ministry spokesperson warned that people should purchase medicines in hospitals and pharmacies who are trusted vendors of genuine products, and advised against buying medicines that do not have approved names and numbers distributed by the SFDA. "The ministry welcomes reports on the manufacture and sale of fake drugs," read the ministry statement. "We will reward informers 500 to 50,000 yuan if the report is found to be true. We offer ample rewards to those who play an important role in cracking large gangs committing such crimes." Li Zhongdong, a pharmacist at the Air Force General

Police have arrested more than 1,900 people suspected of making and selling fake medicine ina series of raids on underground production bases, the Ministry of Public Security said onSunday. The nationwide operation, which started on July 25 and involved 18,000 police officers in 31provincial-level regions, has crushed 24 networks manufacturing counterfeit medical productsworth 1.16 billion yuan ($182 million). Police seized 205 million tablets designed to look like brand-name products for treatinghypertension, diabetes, skin diseases and cancer, the ministry said. Some medicines contained sibutramine, a chemical used to treat obesity that was banned bythe State Food and Drug Administration in 2010 due to fears that it increases the risk ofcardiovascular problems. The suspects also put sedative and hallucinogenic chemicals into the tablets to deceiveconsumers into believing that the fake drugs had an effect. Police also found bottles of normal saline solution labeled as a rabies vaccine. The ministry said it has destroyed a large number of production sites and trade channels in thepast two years. However, the crime is "far from being rooted out, as such criminals have come up with newmethods", the ministry said in its online statement. The ministry also said it had found sham promotions of fake products on the Internet, televisionand magazines during the crackdown. A ministry spokesperson warned that people should purchase medicines in hospitals andpharmacies who are trusted vendors of genuine products, and advised against buyingmedicines that do not have approved names and numbers distributed by the SFDA. "The ministry welcomes reports on the manufacture and sale of fake drugs," read the ministrystatement. "We will reward informers 500 to 50,000 yuan if the report is found to be true. Weoffer ample rewards to those who play an important role in cracking large gangs committingsuch crimes." Li Zhongdong, a pharmacist at the Air Force General Hospital in Bei

Firms that are paid tens of millions of dollars to root out Medicare fraud are bidding on contracts to investigate companies they are doing business with _ sometimes their own parent companies, according to a government report released Tuesday. Two-thirds of the companies that bid on contracts during a nearly year-and-a-half time period beginning in October of 2010 had financial ties to claims processors _ and in some cases also processed Medicare claims themselves, according to the study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' inspector-general. The report blames what it calls a flawed bidding system and an inadequate conflict-of-interest policy. The study looked into bids from about 100 potential contractors and subcontractors and found nearly 2,000 relationships that posed potential conflicts. For example, one company submitted a bid to investigate Medicare fraud even though its parent company provided two types of Medicare coverage in all 50 states. Medicare fraud contractors are often tied to a large number of providers, but the report doesn't break the numbers down by each contractor. The federal government requires Medicare fraud contractors to identify their potential conflicts and their financial interests in other companies when submitting bids, but the report found they often failed to provide all the information. Even when they did, it was sometimes inconsistent or unclear, according to the study, which urged federal health officials to adopt formal, clear guidelines for companies to follow when submitting bids. Tuesday's report examined only companies bidding on springhill groupMedicare-fraud contracts, not those with existing contracts. But a 2011 congressional survey of companies providing Medicare reimbursements revealed that some had financial relationships with the contractors investigating them. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency overseeing Medicare, said in a statement that it has a robust

Over the years, Medicare has been proactive in its efforts to bring awareness to Medicare fraud, a national problem that costs the program millions of dollars each year. The Medicare program relies heavily on a number of sources to assist them in the detection and prevention of Medicare fraud including professionals of the healthcare industry. Overview of Medicare Fraud Medicare fraud generally refers to willfully and knowingly billing medical claims in an attempt to defraud the Medicare program for money. Anyone found guilty of Medicare fraud is subject to exclusion from participation in the Medicare program in addition to fines and possibly imprisonment. Most Medicare fraud occurs in these areas: * Billing for DME * Billing for physicians services * Billing for institutional services such as nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, etc. Be Aware of Common Schemes There are four popular Medicare fraud schemes. 1. Medical Equipment Never Provided The most common area of Medicare fraud is billing for Durable Medical Equipment (DME). DME refers to any medical equipment necessary for a patient's medical or physical condition. It includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other equipment of that nature. The provider will bill Medicare for equipment that the patient never received. Mobility scooters have been particularly popular for Medicare fraud schemes. 2. Services Never Performed In this instance, the provider bills for tests, treatment or procedures never performed. This can be added to the list of tests a patient has actually received and never be noticed. A provider may also falsify diagnosis codes in order to add on unnecessary tests or services. 3. Upcoding Charges Misrepresenting a level of service or procedure performed in order to charge more or receive a higher reimbursement rate is considered upcoding. Upcoding also occurs when a

Over the years, Medicare has been proactive in its efforts to bring awareness to Medicare fraud, a national problem that costs the program millions of dollars each year. The Medicare program relies heavily on a number of sources to assist them in the detection and prevention of Medicare fraud including professionals of the healthcare industry. Overview of Medicare Fraud Medicare fraud generally refers to willfully and knowingly billing medical claims in an attempt to defraud the Medicare program for money. Anyone found guilty of Medicare fraud is subject to exclusion from participation in the Medicare program in addition to fines and possibly imprisonment. Most Medicare fraud occurs in these areas: * Billing for DME * Billing for physicians services * Billing for institutional services such as nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, etc. Be Aware of Common Schemes There are four popular Medicare fraud schemes. 1. Medical Equipment Never Provided The most common area of Medicare fraud is billing for Durable Medical Equipment (DME). DME refers to any medical equipment necessary for a patient's medical or physical condition. It includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other equipment of that nature. The provider will bill Medicare for equipment that the patient never received. Mobility scooters have been particularly popular for Medicare fraud schemes. 2. Services Never Performed In this instance, the provider bills for tests, treatment or procedures never performed. This can be added to the list of tests a patient has actually received and never be noticed. A provider may also falsify diagnosis codes in order to add on unnecessary tests or services. 3. Upcoding Charges Misrepresenting a level of service or procedure performed in order to charge more or receive a higher reimbursement rate is considered upcoding. Upcoding also occurs when a

To help protect yourself and Medicare from fraud and identity theft you should report it. Whenever you get a payment notice from Medicare review it for errors. The notice shows what Medicare was billed for, what Medicare paid, and what (if anything) you owe. Make sure Medicare was not billed for health care services, medical supplies, or equipment you did not get. Before you contact your health care provider, Medicare, or the Inspector General's hotline, carefully review the facts, and have the following ready: * The provider's name and any identifying number you may have. * The service or item information you are questioning. * The date the service or item was supposedly given or delivered. * The payment amount approved and paid by Medicare. * The date on your Medicare Summary Notice. * Your name and Medicare number (as listed on your Medicare card). * The reason you think Medicare should not have paid. * Any other information you have showing why Medicare should not have paid. http://springhillmedgroup.com/

Police have arrested more than 1,900 people suspected of making and selling fake medicine ina series of raids on underground production bases, the Ministry of Public Security said onSunday. The nationwide operation, which started on July 25 and involved 18,000 police officers in 31provincial-level regions, has crushed 24 networks manufacturing counterfeit medical productsworth 1.16 billion yuan ($182 million). Police seized 205 million tablets designed to look like brand-name products for treatinghypertension, diabetes, skin diseases and cancer, the ministry said. Some medicines contained sibutramine, a chemical used to treat obesity that was banned bythe State Food and Drug Administration in 2010 due to fears that it increases the risk ofcardiovascular problems. The suspects also put sedative and hallucinogenic chemicals into the tablets to deceiveconsumers into believing that the fake drugs had an effect. Police also found bottles of normal saline solution labeled as a rabies vaccine. The ministry said it has destroyed a large number of production sites and trade channels in thepast two years. However, the crime is "far from being rooted out, as such criminals have come up with newmethods", the ministry said in its online statement. The ministry also said it had found sham promotions of fake products on the Internet, televisionand magazines during the crackdown. A ministry spokesperson warned that people should purchase medicines in hospitals andpharmacies who are trusted vendors of genuine products, and advised against buyingmedicines that do not have approved names and numbers distributed by the SFDA. "The ministry welcomes reports on the manufacture and sale of fake drugs," read the ministrystatement. "We will reward informers 500 to 50,000 yuan if the report is found to be true. Weoffer ample rewards to those who play an important role in cracking large gangs committingsuch crimes." Li Zhongdong, a pharmacist at the Air Force G

Accusing the state government of taking arbitrary action against doctors in a uterus removal scam and considering passage of a draconian Nursing Home Act which will 'ruin private healthcare facilities', the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday warned of a state-wide agitation if the government failed to address the issue in time. State president of IMA Dr A Hamdani said: "Doctors will take to the streets if the government does not make public the report of the probe against doctors in the controversial uterus removal scam within two days, besides amending the norms of the proposed Private Nursing Homes Act, which is intended to ruin the private health facilities in Chhattisgarh. "IMA president of the Raipur chapter Dr Ajay Sahay said: "Only the Medical Council of India has the power to suspend the licence of a medical practitioner. The state government does not have that power, but it deliberately acted against private doctors before probing the case." He added: "Now the final decision in the case is being delayed, which will take away the doctors' legal right to challenge the decision in court." An unfazed health minister Amar Agrawal said: "The government will not succumb to pressure. The probe will take its time. The guilty will not be spared." Private doctors reportedly removed the uterus of hundreds of women, mostly in rural areas, telling the victims that if their uterus was not removed, it could cause cancer. The IMA Chhattisgarh state unit has warned of a stir if the government doesn't declare the report of the probe and revokes the suspension of licences of doctors by August 8. Hamdani and Sahay said they will meet chief minister Raman Singh, health minister Amar Agrawal and officials of the health department to resolve the issue.

Accusing the state government of taking arbitrary action against doctors in a uterus removal scam and considering passage of a draconian Nursing Home Act which will 'ruin private healthcare facilities', the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday warned of a state-wide agitation if the government failed to address the issue in time. State president of IMA Dr A Hamdani said: "Doctors will take to the streets if the government does not make public the report of the probe against doctors in the controversial uterus removal scam within two days, besides amending the norms of the proposed Private Nursing Homes Act, which is intended to ruin the private health facilities in Chhattisgarh. "IMA president of the Raipur chapter Dr Ajay Sahay said: "Only the Medical Council of India has the power to suspend the licence of a medical practitioner. The state government does not have that power, but it deliberately acted against private doctors before probing the case." He added: "Now the final decision in the case is being delayed, which will take away the doctors' legal right to challenge the decision in court." An unfazed health minister Amar Agrawal said: "The government will not succumb to pressure. The probe will take its time. The guilty will not be spared." Private doctors reportedly removed the uterus of hundreds of women, mostly in rural areas, telling the victims that if their uterus was not removed, it could cause cancer. The IMA Chhattisgarh state unit has warned of a stir if the government doesn't declare the report of the probe and revokes the suspension of licences of doctors by August 8. Hamdani and Sahay said they will meet chief minister Raman Singh, health minister Amar Agrawal and officials of the health department to resolve the issue.

Police have arrested more than 1,900 people suspected of making and selling fake medicine in a series of raids on underground production bases, the Ministry of Public Security said on Sunday. The nationwide operation, which started on July 25 and involved 18,000 police officers in 31 provincial-level regions, has crushed 24 networks manufacturing counterfeit medical products worth 1.16 billion yuan ($182 million). Police seized 205 million tablets designed to look like brand-name products for treating hypertension, diabetes, skin diseases and cancer, the ministry said. Some medicines contained sibutramine, a chemical used to treat obesity that was banned by the State Food and Drug Administration in 2010 due to fears that it increases the risk of cardiovascular problems. The suspects also put sedative and hallucinogenic chemicals into the tablets to deceive consumers into believing that the fake drugs had an effect. Police also found bottles of normal saline solution labeled as a rabies vaccine. The ministry said it has destroyed a large number of production sites and trade channels in the past two years. However, the crime is "far from being rooted out, as such criminals have come up with new methods", the ministry said in its online statement. The ministry also said it had found sham promotions of fake products on the Internet, television and magazines during the crackdown. A ministry spokesperson warned that people should purchase medicines in hospitals and pharmacies who are trusted vendors of genuine products, and advised against buying medicines that do not have approved names and numbers distributed by the SFDA. "The ministry welcomes reports on the manufacture and sale of fake drugs," read the ministry statement. "We will reward informers 500 to 50,000 yuan if the report is found to be true. We offer ample rewards to those who play an important role in cracking large gangs committing such crimes." Li Zhongdong, a pharmacist at

Accusing the state government of taking arbitrary action against doctors in a uterus removal scam and considering passage of a draconian Nursing Home Act which will 'ruin private healthcare facilities', the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday warned of a state-wide agitation if the government failed to address the issue in time. State president of IMA Dr A Hamdani said: "Doctors will take to the streets if the government does not make public the report of the probe against doctors in the controversial uterus removal scam within two days, besides amending the norms of the proposed Private Nursing Homes Act, which is intended to ruin the private health facilities in Chhattisgarh. "IMA president of the Raipur chapter Dr Ajay Sahay said: "Only the Medical Council of India has the power to suspend the licence of a medical practitioner. The state government does not have that power, but it deliberately acted against private doctors before probing the case." He added: "Now the final decision in the case is being delayed, which will take away the doctors' legal right to challenge the decision in court." An unfazed health minister Amar Agrawal said: "The government will not succumb to pressure. The probe will take its time. The guilty will not be spared." Private doctors reportedly removed the uterus of hundreds of women, mostly in rural areas, telling the victims that if their uterus was not removed, it could cause cancer. The IMA Chhattisgarh state unit has warned of a stir if the government doesn't declare the report of the probe and revokes the suspension of licences of doctors by August 8. Hamdani and Sahay said they will meet chief minister Raman Singh, health minister Amar Agrawal and officials of the health department to resolve the issue.

Police have arrested more than 1,900 people suspected of making and selling fake medicine ina series of raids on underground production bases, the Ministry of Public Security said onSunday. The nationwide operation, which started on July 25 and involved 18,000 police officers in 31provincial-level regions, has crushed 24 networks manufacturing counterfeit medical productsworth 1.16 billion yuan ($182 million). Police seized 205 million tablets designed to look like brand-name products for treatinghypertension, diabetes, skin diseases and cancer, the ministry said. Some medicines contained sibutramine, a chemical used to treat obesity that was banned bythe State Food and Drug Administration in 2010 due to fears that it increases the risk ofcardiovascular problems. The suspects also put sedative and hallucinogenic chemicals into the tablets to deceiveconsumers into believing that the fake drugs had an effect. Police also found bottles of normal saline solution labeled as a rabies vaccine. The ministry said it has destroyed a large number of production sites and trade channels in thepast two years. However, the crime is "far from being rooted out, as such criminals have come up with newmethods", the ministry said in its online statement. The ministry also said it had found sham promotions of fake products on the Internet, televisionand magazines during the crackdown. A ministry spokesperson warned that people should purchase medicines in hospitals andpharmacies who are trusted vendors of genuine products, and advised against buyingmedicines that do not have approved names and numbers distributed by the SFDA. "The ministry welcomes reports on the manufacture and sale of fake drugs," read the ministrystatement. "We will reward informers 500 to 50,000 yuan if the report is found to be true. Weoffer ample rewards to those who play an important role in cracking large gangs committingsuch crimes." Li Zhongdong, a pharmacist at the Air Force General Hospital in Bei

Over the years, Medicare has been proactive in its efforts to bring awareness to Medicare fraud, a national problem that costs the program millions of dollars each year. The Medicare program relies heavily on a number of sources to assist them in the detection and prevention of Medicare fraud including professionals of the healthcare industry. Overview of Medicare Fraud Medicare fraud generally refers to willfully and knowingly billing medical claims in an attempt to defraud the Medicare program for money. Anyone found guilty of Medicare fraud is subject to exclusion from participation in the Medicare program in addition to fines and possibly imprisonment. Most Medicare fraud occurs in these areas: * Billing for DME * Billing for physicians services * Billing for institutional services such as nursing homes, hospitals, hospice, etc. Be Aware of Common Schemes There are four popular Medicare fraud schemes. 1. Medical Equipment Never Provided The most common area of Medicare fraud is billing for Durable Medical Equipment (DME). DME refers to any medical equipment necessary for a patient's medical or physical condition. It includes wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other equipment of that nature. The provider will bill Medicare for equipment that the patient never received. Mobility scooters have been particularly popular for Medicare fraud schemes. 2. Services Never Performed In this instance, the provider bills for tests, treatment or procedures never performed. This can be added to the list of tests a patient has actually received and never be noticed. A provider may also falsify diagnosis codes in order to add on unnecessary tests or services. 3. Upcoding Charges Misrepresenting a level of service or procedure performed in order to charge more or receive a higher reimbursement rate is considered upcoding. Upcoding also occurs when a service performed is not covered by Medicare but