Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

DA, Denver, CO — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:33:03 GMT

The Medicare system, as well as most government assist programs and social services programs, should have more employees to help run them and deter this sort of fraud. Our gov't balks at hiring more employees mostly because it looks good on paper,yet if these programs had enough man power to really do the job effectively, we wouldn't be loosing so much money to thieves. WAKE UP government officials, employ us so we don't serve the thieves as much as we CAN serve the people who need & deserve help!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Leslie Halls — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:35:02 GMT

Outrageous! And we want the federal government to run ALL healthcare in this country?

Wouldn't it be more economical to take some IRS staff and have them work for Medicare for a while? What might be lost in income tax revenue would no doubt be exceeded by what would not be spent fraudulently on fake limbs, procedues, services, pills, etc.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Betsy Goren East Falmouth, MA — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:35:17 GMT

It really makes me mad to think that the reason Medicare is sooooo tightfisted when it comes to reimbursement for home health care is because some Bozos out there are defrauding the system. I am a RN working for a visting nurses' assoc and my job gets harder every year--in part due to the fact that people are sent home from the hospital earlier and therefore sicker, but mainly because the reimbursement rules keep changing. Cut down the number of visits made so that the agency is not operating in the red. And, oh--make sure you code the diagnosis just right and put them in the correct order to squeeze one more cent... and it goes on and on. No wonder the "art of nursing" has suffered so. I'm sorry to say that it's no longer about taking care of the patients, it's all about taking care of the bottom line $$$

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jimmy Delk — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:38:03 GMT

Why is someone not going to jail?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Dave M, San Diego — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:59:56 GMT

OUCH! What an unscrupulous country we live in... how is it possible that the government can't follow the money to catch these people - who, by the way, should be hung by their sacks when they are caught!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Brady Delander, Denver, Colo. — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:03:53 GMT

Mark,
The level of fraud is astonishing and deserves notice.
However, not all amputees (or even most) are war veterans, as you imply. Your little math example only took into account those injured in war. I realize you were trying to make a point, but your point should be well-founded, researched and complete.
Thank you for your clarification.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Michael R — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:19:44 GMT

Just another reason, in a long list of reasons, why socialized, government run health care, will never be a good thing. Privatize health care, let the free market take care of it! With the government, you pay twice as much and get half the value.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Mad in Scarborough Maine — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:39:20 GMT

I guess I don't understand how that many bills could go through without the system kicking them out. Are there no checks and balances? When you mail out that many checks to a few Drs doesn't some one see them and wonder why??? Their screen should show all the checks that have been sent and all the open invoices. Some one needs to wake up. It wouldn't take more than a monkey to see this problem. I'd love to talk to the head of that department.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

V.K. SHARMA, BROWNSVILLE. TX. — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:39:58 GMT

My name is V.K. Sharma I am a prosthetist. If these are truly fraudulent billing the name of the companies and associates should be published for citizens to see. Thieves shoulve be punished to the limit of and their licences should be forfeited.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

jud , Phoenix Az — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:57:33 GMT

Aren't we still paying outrageous fees for workers to trim toenails? The fees for anything paid by the Gummint (emphasize Mint) will continue to skyrocket until people realize just how sleazy the whole system is.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

RON CALVERT CEDAR RAPIDS. IOWA — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:47:29 GMT

THE REASON THIS GOES ON IS THE PENALTIES ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH. PEOPLE WHO STEAL WHEN THEY ARE IN A POSITION OF TRUST SHOULD BE PUNISHED ACCORDINGLY. IF THE SENTENCE WAS DEATH BY HANGING THERE WOULD BE ALOT LESS OF THIS. THEY ARE AS GUILTY AS ANY MURDERER BECAUSE THSY CAUSE PEOPLE TO DIE FOR THE LACK OF MEDICAL CARE. SOME PEOPLE JUST DON'T DERSERVE TO LIVE.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Zipper Michigan — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 22:58:52 GMT

This is Crazy!!! Get on it Government.. Its not fair everyone who works pay for this.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

MD. CA — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:04:26 GMT

I am both outraged and appalled at the lack of oversight in this debacle!!! It is indeed sad to see people stooping so low that they do not care about anything except lining their pocketbooks!!!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jim Weber, St. Louis Mo. — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:37:45 GMT

And concurrently private inurance companies are placing caps on prosthetic coverage for members at amounts of $ 2500 and $ 4000 so an amputee covered by private insurance can not receive an adequate prosthesis!!

Millions sent to Miami for thieves with all their limbs! While amputees suffer inadequate coverage where it is needed most.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

ibsteve2u, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:45:05 GMT

Any chance the Federal government got into the habit of looking the other way at things Florida due to who was running the state government?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

stephen g powers,zoo parkway asheboro,n.c.27205 — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:51:02 GMT

by gosh these crooks should lose everything they have then 20 years in prison or longer-i am disabled and it was very hard to get it,and the goverment has a so called system for the claims and gets ripped off of that much money,which could be used to help people with disabilitys.some times i wonder why we even vote,because they don't care about stuff like this,but to only raise money to get back in office to take care of big businesses and there rich buddys.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

JD, Seattle, WA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 00:34:32 GMT

The "lost" 94 million dollars would have been enough to provide 250,000 uninsured citizens with a basic physical checkup and vaccine updates, along perhaps with a year's supply of medicine for typical types of simple conditions . . .

Instead of Congress and the President continuing to work diligently to deny basic healthcare to what now is approaching 55 million uninsured Americans, it is time for the Congress and the President to start doing their jobs as legislators and administrators . . .

When crooks can bill the government for hundreds of millions of dollars of nonsense, the entire system is out of control . . .

Was there an actual person approving all that fraud?

Was the approval and verification work outsourced to political cronies or overseas to foreign workers?

If it were one million dollars in fraud for the entire country, then graciousness tends to favor the view that it is better to make a small mistake than to make a big mistake, but when the level of fraud moves into the hundreds of millions of dollars for a single county in one state, this is gross incompetency on a vast scale . . .

Regarding the "officials" and government "investigators" expressing suspicions that home healthcare might be a source of fraud, this mostly indicates that none of the "officials" and "investigators" has any experience with someone who needs home healthcare. It might appear that a home healthcare nurse billing for an hour or two to give an injection is outrageous, but anyone who thinks this is too much time should tag along with a home healthcare nurse to discover the realities . . .

For starters, the nurse has to get the syringe from the doctor's office, which takes a while, because nobody just walks into a doctor's office and gets anything. Then, the nurse has to drive to the patient's home, which also takes a while. Before giving the injection, the nurse has to do the same basic stuff the doctor or nurse at the clinic does, which is check temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and so forth, which also takes a while, because there are rules regarding when an injection can be given safely . . .

Then, after the injection is given, the nurse needs to wait a while to ensure that there is no allergic reaction or other adverse event happening in response to the injection, which for a typical flu vaccination can be another 10 to 20 minutes . . .

And, there is paperwork for everything, including a form giving the home healthcare nurse permission to give the injection . . .

Also, one of the most important things that home healthcare nurses do is to devote a bit of time simply talking and communicating with the patient, because this is basic courtesy and it is a great way to discover vitally important early signs of medical problems . . .

When you total the time, somewhere in the range of one to two hours is not the least bit unreasonable . . .

Try it yourself, if you have any doubts . . .

Thanks!

P.S. Great article and excellent reporting!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Viktor Popp Mountain View MO. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:58:49 GMT

There is no exuse for medi-care dep. employees not
beeing able to catch the crooks.They know who is cheating,and who is not.All it takes is a undercover
investigater planted in every office.It would not be a
surprise to me if as a result of this,most supervisors
and many of the clercs end up in jail.Miami-Dade and Broward counties,are known for corruption.But nothing
will happen,exept a whitewash.To many minorities are
involved,and to avoid beeing called a"racist"or beeing
labeled"insensitive"the investigation will drag on for ever,until vorgotten.1970ties Affirmative Action,
2007 results.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Duane Popham, Pgh., PA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:13:07 GMT

The info. I have found indicates that there have been 897 amputated service men and women, as of Feb. 2007, since the start of the Iraq War; that there are approx. 1.3 million amputees in the U.S. with an estimated 185,000 amputations performed each year. As stated in the text, having 89,000 + prostheses needed in 2 counties in one state should raise flags! There were problems identified years ago with lax protocols applied by the medicare regional payors, the bills would be paid if they were 'clean', legitimacy of the bills was scrutinized after the fact. I agree with some of the other commenters that having the gov't more involved in our health system only continues to distort the system and the payouts made. I am confident that I make better choices with spending MY earned money than any gov't entity would. The reduction of gov't interference would be in the best interest of all.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Glenn Hallmark N. C. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:28:02 GMT

You will never catch the thieves that are robbing medicare blind, because if you really wanted to find them just look for somebody in the goverment ranks. Hell it only took the CIA and the FBI 20 years to catch a American/Russian spy who was only 2nd in command of the CIA, and sold top secrects to Bin Ladden and the rest of the creeps for their highest price. What the hell makes you think they are going to really look for these thieves?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Glenn Hallmark N. C. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 03:32:09 GMT

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Andy, Provo Utah — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 04:58:38 GMT

Only 5% of amputations are due to trauma, the rest are split between cancer and circulation problems like diabetes. (especially leg amputations) These are more common in the retired older population of Florida, so it is not nearly as simple as presented, but still obviously wrong. I live in snow country with an artificial leg, and it is downright dangerous on ice because you can't feel what you are stepping on. Imagine a pogo stick in the snow. Will Hillary Care just explode this peoblem?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Pete, Tokyo, Japan — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:05:09 GMT

It sounds like no one is being punished for this scam. It took place in Florida. Hmm... Perhaps this is just a Republican givaway to donors that simultaneously lets them slam the idea of government healthcare?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

nls, Winfield,MO — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 06:36:46 GMT

A perfect example of what happens when the government offers services in which it is not able to check if the claims are legitimate. An extra employee would cost the government 45 grand, and could save the government (and taxpayers) more money than what they are paid. The problem with the system now is that having employees on the payroll is a fixed cost, that has to be accounted for and kept under control. The number of claims made is higher than the number of agents available, so they get approval just to keep the paperwork flowing, because not enough people are available to check the claims. The Public would rather here we paid 1.2 million out in claims and only spent 400 thousand to process them; rather than we paid 600 thousand to process claims, and only paid out 900 thousand in claims. The reason is because we have been raised to believe that the government has to help me when I am in need and must help everyone when they are in need. Unfortunatley, we are not socialist country and the rich get richer, the poor get government benefits, and the middle class gets screwed

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

FDJ — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 07:31:52 GMT

THE EMPLOYEES AT MEDICARE DON'T GIVE A DAM, IT IS NOT THEIR MONEY. THEY HAVE VERY LOW IQ'S AND ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS GETTING THEIR PAY CHECK EVERY WEEK. THEY ARE NOT CONCERN ABOUT THE TAX PAYERS MONEY.

MEDICARE IS SO BUSY WORRING ABOUT THE INSURANCE AGENTS SIGNING PEOPLE UP FOR A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO WORRY ABOUT CROOKS. MEDICARE IS WORRY THAT AN INSURANCE AGENT MAY NOT DOT AN "i" OR CROSS A " T". THE PEOPLE THAT MANAGE MEDICARE WOULD GAG ON A NAT, BUT WOULD SWALLOW
ELEPHANT DUNG.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jackie Herrmann, Tacoma Wash. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 09:56:00 GMT

In a time of legitemate need, the thieves have already taken the money allocated for real medical procedures. I have to wonder what the goverment "watchdogs" are doing when they should be on the alert for fraudulant spending, what are we really paying for?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Adam, San Diego CA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:06:40 GMT

If you think Medicare is bad, you should look into worker's compensation FRAUD in California!!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Rick Cain, Tulsa, OK — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 11:05:11 GMT

I think people need to understand that most fraud is not perpetrated by the recipients, but by the medical PROVIDERS. Thats right, the doctors, hospitals, suppliers, etc are the felons. The reason is simple...the government is influenced by the privatization fanatics who want to suck off the breast of the feds while not being subject to regulations.
I'm sorry, but if the private health systems want federal money they have to play by the rules. The GOP is at fault for this, because they would rather kill their own children rather than pass laws regulating the medical industry. As a result its "providers gone wild". I work in state health care, and have seen all sorts of fraud, such as double billing, billing for days that don't exist, 2 doctors billing for the same procedure on the same patient, billing for NTMC never provided, the list goes on.
The feds have the power, they just never manage to use their teeth because of conservatives obstructing it and thus our tax dollars wasted.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Robert Bachner, MD — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 12:39:16 GMT

I am an Orthopedic Surgeon in Georgia, and would like to comment and/or correct some of the statements above.

1) The reason for many of these prostheses is probably NOT injury, but peripheral vascular disease, and subsequently the need to do an amputation (below knee for example) in order to remove a dead, infected portion of a limb. Peripheral vascular disease and diabetes goes hand in hand and both have an extremely increased incidence in this older population.
2) Many healthcare providers don't charge the amount listed on the Medicare fee schedules, but a "normal - usual and customary rate". This is to keep one fee schedule. In fact the mandatory adjusting off of the differences between charges and the Medicare reimbursement schedule is a way of life for all healthcare providers. To say that more than 500 million dollars of the 615 million was "rejected" is misleading. I am sure that the claims were not "rejected" but in fact the fee schedule dictated a lower reimbursement. This is the NORM for all charges submitted by healthcare providers.

Before an article such as this is published by MSNBC, someone should do some fact checking and perhaps with a health related issue consult someone in the healthcare field. This is just irresponsible misleading reporting. Why can't people think before they talk (or write).

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Tracey Palmer — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:49:40 GMT

This does not suprise me, Diabetes, the main cause of amputation is on the rise and people are wanting to take advantage of this misfotune.
Even when the request for an artificial limb is valied, the limb is provided to the individual and never truly fitted well enough for the person to properly use. The costly linb ends up in a corner never to be worn because wearing it is too painful because the time was not spent to fit it right.
Our country does not have a clue how the government is being cheated out of money by nursing homes and other "healthcare" providers. It is a huge money market that is no longer in the best interest of the patient.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Griz Granite Shoals Tx — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:14:59 GMT

Same thing happened here in Tx with wheelchairs. A couple of companies have ruined it for the legitimate providers. I've seen a few govt computer systems and they are completely inadequate. Poorly designed bid out to the lowest bidder and basically they are never finished or never work to the spec they were supposed too. So I understand why these things go unnoticed. You'd think they would go after these people with everything at their disposal but it seems they just fade into the woodwork and are never brought to justice for these crimes. A double crime if you will. One is against the taxpayer and the other against the legitimate providers and people that need the services. Pray that you don't become disabled yourself. Its a rude awakening. The health care system in this country has been gutted by pure greed. So many people with their hands in the cookie jar the people that need the care can't get it.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Greg Arterburn — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 14:24:50 GMT

As I understand it, Medicare billing and collections are all handled by PRIVATE companies (often major insurance companies) who contract with the government to bill and collect for each Medicare region (usually one or more states.)

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

john doe, seattle wash — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:28:51 GMT

medicare can pay for 89000 false claims, but we have a hard time getting them to reemburse us for a legitimate claim for a one month rental for a wheelchair

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

D. Reynolds Kitchener, ON — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 17:31:53 GMT

The American Medi-care system is costing taxpayers exhorbinantly. With DME involvement (Durable Medical Equipment Providers) as third parties Americans pay multiple times what the product is worth. The government should look at emulating the VA Healthcare system where they demand the LOWEST price from manufacturer and providers; think of it...instead of paying $4 the government would pay $1!!!!!! I have never understood why American taxpayers want the many to pay the few!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Tom Vu Seattle, WA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:20:16 GMT

Why not let the army (the people that actually need these prosthetics) go after yhe thieves stealing from them and all americans?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Irene Milford PA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:31:02 GMT

I beleive ALL Government is corrupt so its useless to suggest solutions, We just have to continue to look out for # 1 as make we get what we need when we need it.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jeremy Macke "M.D." Toledo, Ohio — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:35:54 GMT

V.K Sharma and Micheal R are correct. The system is incredibly inefficient. Fraud is only going to make it more difficult for individuals with ligitimate needs to get their bills paid for. Sorry Mad in Scarborough but it is unlikely that these fraudulent individuals were "Drs." Rather it is most likely, people with connections to companies who sell these limbs. Physicians won't get paid for limbs (only the cost of the office visit) even if they did prescribe them and according to the data collected by Mark Potter that seems incredibly unlikely. The answer? Privitize healthcare approximately 90% of the time. The remaining 10% is for exceptional needs cases (things such as emergencies or costs beyond what society feels any one individual should bear). Unfortunately, you must keep in mind that with a society as large as ours we will always have unscrupulous individuals. Thus, we must make decisions that provide appropriate health care (and pricing competition) without incorporating unnecessary bureacracy as this will only provide legislated loop holes (for crooks to navigate)that cannot be easily undone.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

russ reed , grand prairie TX — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:52:56 GMT

Slow and painfull public executions by firing squad - one bullet at a time ... would surely deterr this kind of thing !

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Charlie, Tennessee — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:20:48 GMT

The conclusion some have drawn is just wrong. Medicare reimburses private providers for services; it is NOT a complete federal health CARE system. That would be the VA and as a matter of fact they do quite an admirable job of providing health care for veterans. Government provided health care can work and at very good cost effectiveness too. Health care for the presently uninsured modeled on the VA could likely work very well. It would be a large undertaking indeed but our leaders seem to love spending tax money (our money). Choosing where to spend it is where they seem to often not have the best interests of our fellow citizens in mind.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Viktor Popp — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:32:20 GMT

I've heard a lot about medicare fraud,over the last
30 years.It has not changed,and will never change,as long as our justice system,does not get a complete make over.
A Florida judge just ruled today,in order to vote in
Miami Dade and Broward counties,driver licenses and
soc.sec.numbers dont have to match the records,in order to vote at the primaries.These kind of rulings
are preventing any kind of meaningful prosecutions of
medicare fraud,because the same judges have been blocking the feds. of raiding some of the suspect
offices.Every person working in the medicare field,knows of the corruption,and they also know wich
claim is valid,and which one is not.They are as guilty
as the ones that defraud medicare.One or two small time croocks may end up in jail,the big fish will get
away,the newsmedia will be concentrating on Paris Hilton,and the taxpayer will be screwed again.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Looey Munn Roundup, MT — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:33:49 GMT

We have lot of good workers who have been laid off as the government makes it more and more profitable to send work overseas. How about hiring some of these laid-off skilled people at decent wages to take care of these waste and fraud problems? Pay off quickly!

Obviously we do not have enough good workers hired and working to make the transparently obvious connections or to take actions needed.

I ran onto a potential similar situation recently, and called the FBI, who assured me they would check it out and let me know. Nothing yet! Guess it is not important to them.

Mad in Maine; this is not an attack, but an addition. People these days especially in government are not hired to think, and the public schools do not teach them to think either. Perhaps we should worry more about smart people being held back than dull children being left behind, and more on teaching logical thinking than simple rote answers to the government tests? And maybe science and ethics instead of how to have lots of "fun" sex and not get "caught"?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

David Anderson, Arlington, VA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:03:07 GMT

Do not add more government employees. If you worked inside a government agency, you would see how little the employees do there. The reason it is easy to defraud the government is because of the laziness of the government employees who, protected by the unions, really do very little for our tax dollars. Want to save a bundle in taxes? Reform the civil service system

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jonny — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:09:06 GMT

That is why medicare should be done away with

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Val Crothers, Christiana, PA. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:12:34 GMT

I am an Amputee and have seen many differant Medical Providers over these past two years including A: Prosthetist,Family Physician,Surgeon(s).& 2nd Opinion Surgeons. After 3 Surgeries I've come to realize that most Doctors & Prosthetists tend to take these issues Very Seriously & are very Responsible. In fact in some instances (most) i've had to fight for the Legitimate Care that I Need, and i still do not have a Prosthesis. I know nothing about the cases in Florida but I think if these people are found to be guilty then they are the kind of individuals who should be monitored heavily & pay all monies back. They are the kind of businesses that make it so hard for the People who need genuine & Timely,consistant Healthcare of any kind.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

John A — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:19:18 GMT

Excuse me, but for the "free market" worshipers in the thread. Haven't you noticed how the "legit" medical establishment hustles people requiring their services? There is no free market when the consumer can't simply say, no I won't pay that price for whatever good or service. Of course the medical establishment will tell you you're free to pay or not pay, even if the last option means you live in constant pain, become an invalid, or even die. The point being that existing in such a diminished condition or choosing to end your life because you're getting ripped off is not really an option that would chosen by a significant number of people.
Personal example. I have high blood pressure, but am in excellent health otherwise and the condition is well controlled with medication. I go to a doctors office and immediately, because I have health insurance, a virtually never ending round of testing, office visits every 3-6 weeks ensues. After complaining that I really don't have time to be away from work every 2 weeks for a day, and that it costs about $250 in income for me to take the day off, they'll back off a bit and let me come in every 3 months, with, of course, the occasional very expensive diagnostic in between visits at some diagnostic center where they run the tests that invariably come back negative. I've fired two doctors over the last 3 years for just this pattern of greedy, unconscionable, and unprofessional behavior. So it would seem there is fraud in private sector medicine just like in the public sector. It happens everyday and people that have to transact business with our medical system are conned daily, I've actually caught one MD lying to me about my physical condition so he could run more tests and proscribe more pills. BTW, my last Doctor had a sign hanging promiently in his waiting room advising that he did not take Medicare patients, I assume there is just not enough money in it. Yeah, medicare is defrauded from time to time, and in the story here, spectacularly defrauded, but its not just government programs that fraud occurs in.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Dave Martin, Steubenville, OH — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:26:42 GMT

Due to the suffering of American Hero G.I.'s, every article about the VA focuses on how we are short changing their sacrifice. If you only knew the truth!

Since this article articulates the fraud that is perpetrated against one entitlement system (Medicare), I urge you to follow through and document how much fraud is being done against our Veteran's Administration by veteran's who's disabilities either have nothing to do with service, or are not nearly as severe as reported, when applying for disability benefits. I am not talking about healthcare, I am talking about cash money paid for nothing. It's no different than the fraud in this article and it's very bad.

Respondants to this article are uniform in their criticism of the status quo. I would just add that fraud is fraud, and it's amazing that the same people here turn around scold the VA for not doing enough, when VA shovels out a lifetime of cash for two years of service- in most cases non-combat service.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Dan Edmonds — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:40:10 GMT

This is simply terrible! I don't understand why some Medicare computer (or person) didn't question this before $95 million went down this hole. I hope these people are prosecuted. As a home health care nurse, I know that our small company makes every effort to do the right thing and we are constantly reminded to follow Medicare rules.
In spite of these wasted millions did you know that Medicare pays for quality care at a lower cost per capita than private insurance companies and with less percentage overhead?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Troy Aleander, South florida — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 20:53:26 GMT

I have lived in South florida, we lose our limbs to Alligators, WE also have a lot of birth defects from smoking crack

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Paul — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:16:23 GMT

As long as our government keeps handing out "free" money (that someone else worked hard to make) - there will be freeloaders and special interest groups. Just as there will be no interest in assimilating and learning English when there is money for special interest groups and minorities.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Peggy the Pirate, Miami, FL — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:24:04 GMT

Fake legs... Get your fake legs... 3 for the price of 2... while supplies last.

Wow, why can't they find out who's doing this. It is most likely related to just a few comanies.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Dennis M. Luckey, Stroudsburg, Pa. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:40:01 GMT

The Office of Management and Budget (the Congressional accountants) routinely issues a report that says that 50% of Medicare/Medicaid spending is fraud or abuse. Just imagine how much taxpayer money has been stolen and squandered since 1965 when Medicare/Medicaid was started. Anytime the Government gets involved in paying for something, it costs us more. Anyone remember health care before 1965? The Doctors used to make house calls and charged less than $10.00 a visit.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Valerie Huenink, Lincoln, NE — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 21:51:05 GMT

Please note that each amputee does need more than one prostheses for each severed limb. When the limb is tramaticaly removed, it stays swollen for period of time. Then, even after that the stub continues to atrophy or shrink for approximately 18 months. I believe that I have needed 4 or 5 prosthetic legs since my amputation,because of the size change. While I understand everyone's disgust at the people who do defraud the taxpayer, please understand me, unless you have walked in my prosthetic leg, you don't always know of what you speak.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Tino, Largo, FL — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:08:55 GMT

Who wants to vote for Hillary and her health plan now?
Help us all if she gets elected.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

DaiMonBok, Dingmans Ferry, Pa. — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:10:56 GMT

And they want to run our healthcare? We'll be broke in no time flat!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Bob Martin Sonora,California — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:13:18 GMT

What is wrong with our goverment. That they can't hire the people to look into these fraudulent claims and do something about it,and send someone to jail.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Paul Mitchell, Madison, New Jersey — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:17:11 GMT

The answer to Medicare fraud is NOT to privatize health care. There is far more fraud and waste in Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, HMOs than there ever could be in Medicare, including the outrageous salaries paid to private insurance company executives. Medicare only costs 4 to 5% in administrative costs, whereas private companies cost 25%. The way to eliminate the Medicare fraud is to hire more government employees (at modest salaries, as everyone knows) to investigate and process claims.All Americans know how the government has suffered ever since the reduction of employees at Social Security, passport, immigration, and other agencies. People complain about the government but want and need services.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

j. dough. despair justice — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:17:11 GMT

general Schwartscoff in charge of the first gulf war, politicians in charge of the vietnam war, and this one.enough with the god damn bean counters adding and subtracting the value of human life.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Bob Martin Sonora,California — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:22:59 GMT

Please someone send some of these crooks to jail.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Stanley J. Lake, Mesquite, Nevada 89027 — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:36:12 GMT

This is just a contuation of the fraudulent acts by our Citizens? and Politicians that we read about all the time - like the perks that are increasing in our national budget and the self serving laws that are put in force as an example the prevention of using the information of the kickbacks of some Politicians!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

John Cheek, Salisbury, NC — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:50:16 GMT

This is news? The Medicare system has been a fraud trough ever since 1965 when Lyndon Byrd and the democrats created it to buy the votes of old people. Who knows how many tens of billions of dollars have been stolen from the American taxpayer. Every now and then some news organization will do a report on some particularly outrageous bit of theft and there will be some headlines and some pompous harrumphing from the politicians along with some sincere promises that The System Will Be Cleaned Up NOW!!! But after a while the headlines fade away. The congressional clowns find some other noble cause to run their mouths over. Nothing is done and the crooks soon crawl out from under their rocks and continue to loot the system. Over the past 42 years, it has become obvious that the Medicare bureaucrats are too lazy, stupid, and/or incompetent to properly verify Medicare claims. And even if they did, the democrats and other socialists would start howling that they were denying deserving people their natural right to government-subsidized health care. This is a perfect example of the old saying that, in a democracy, people get the kind of government they deserve. As long as the American peepul keep electing politicians who promise bread and circuses with low taxation,
this is a tune we will continue to hear over and over again.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

RAY SEGUIN — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:51:59 GMT

IF THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE TRUE PUT ALL GUILTY PARTYS IN JAIL UNTIL THE MONEY IS PAYED BACK. SIMPLE RIGHT

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Dan S, St. Louis, MO — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 22:56:54 GMT

This absolutely underscores another situation in which Ron Paul, the Republican Presidential nominee, should be elected for President.

He wants to eliminate most of the Federal government except for the parts allowed by the US Constitution. No IRS, Federal Reserve Bank, Departments of Commerce, Education, Energy, Homeland Security, and many other programs like Medicare and Social Security. In return, your taxes would be extremely low so you'd have more money to take care of yourself. Also, due to extremely low taxes, employment would be extremely high and our standard of living would improve. Private businesses would take up the slack where the government was involved and, I can promise, would do things better and more efficiently at lower costs than now. However, this cannot occur overnight, and may need a generation to transition into. Remember, it was in the early 1900's that most of these government agencies did not yet exist. Remember $10,000 toilet seats paid for by the Dept. of Defense years ago.

Those who vote for the status quo candidates (Obama, Clinton, Edwards, Romney, Giuliani, McCain) for the continuation of these ineffective policies are to blame for keeping these problems going. Just remember, when someone else handles your money, they spend it differently compared to how you would handle it yourself. This is exactly what's going on with your tax dollars at work.

Think these types of things through to see if they make sense rather than just saying something isn't possible or someone can't get elected. Just remember what Patrick Henry said.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jeff Bowles — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:10:38 GMT

What a deal! I'm a disabled worker hurt on the job May,2006 and having such a straightforward case as I have I fight tooth and nail for perscription payments,medical visits, psychological help and still fighting denials by the Social Security Disability experts while they pay the crooks billions, what a deal! Guess you've got to be a crook to get approved for benefits?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Ramona J., Lynden, WA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:17:58 GMT

I've set up computer data systems at work. It's very simple to write queries that run checks and balances of whatever you can imagine. It wouldn't take millions to cut down on fraud. Just put a couple of people behind a computer who have good sense to ask the computer the right questions, and a team of people who go out and investigate. If the budget isn't there to follow up on every little thing (do we really want that?), at least they could go after the big stuff. Maybe the staff is already there, and they just need a good computer "data miner".

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Susan Carol Tod, Portland, OR — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:20:22 GMT

1. "Creative" Record Keeping amd RED TAPE are among the many culprits for this and other blatant scams of legitimate programs, plans and agencies.

2. As a tax payer, I want my legisletors to PAY ATTENTION to my requests. I AM THE REASON they are in office and receiving their wonderful tax covered paychecks, automatic not voted upon COLA, that NONE of us ever receives. THEY DO NOT have to live on Social Security, as many of us tax paying citizens who have worked all of our lives paying into this fund, will need to depend upon. And the fund may not even BE there because THEY have constantly borrowed from it during our lifetime, without any voter input. And let's not forget that THEY, as all legislators, will NOT have to LIVE on SS because they have unbelievable automatic retirement plans, again UNVOTED ON, thay THEY constantly raise, without input from any of us OF THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE tax payers.

3. The number of Homeless, Uninsured, Unemployed, and hungry in our own country is so beyond astronomical, that it is astonishing our fellow Americans can even SEE over the piles of Conspicuous Consumption Holiday Presents puchased. They have truly become the UGLY AMERICAN. An AVERAGE of $1,000.00 per adult American (stated in a recent study)is spent on holiday gifts at this time of year. That INCLUDES homeless and low income Americans. . . so SOMEONE is absolutely spending an unimaginable amount on frivolous things while fellow Americans go hungry. How can this be in the HOME OF THE BRAVE and LAND OF THE FREE?

4. Everyone does NOT have to feed the hungry. BUT AT THIS MOST HOLY TIME OF YEAR . . . why not spend less, give, TRULY give more, and RECYCLE your garbage . . . as this time of year produces billions of tons MORE garbage than usual.

5. Please recognize the workers in ANY field and business who do NOT receive the benefits YOU do and who do NOT make the wages YOU do and who do NOT enjoy the life of those who do NOT have to worry about where the next paycheck will come from or where the next meal will come from.

Respectfully and Sincerely

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Ron Messersmith, New Rockford, ND — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:20:56 GMT

I will work for hardly nothing, before paying that invoice, send me out to interview the patient and when I can verify a real doctor and any artificial limbs on his patient then you can pay his invoice otherwise I save medicare hundreds of thousands of good ole greenbacks.

I am retired and have nothing else to do and I could work for 10 percent of what I save you Uncle Sam, and, I'll buy my own gas and car.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

W. Lamp, Leesburg, GA — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:38:05 GMT

As for the Government doing anything..... FAR "better" to cut costs by not hiring the people needed to police the program than admit they made a mistake when they set up the program without any verification.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

dennis — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:43:23 GMT

the people paying the bills as well as the thieves themselves should be going to jail. along with the head of medicare. root these people out,no punishment is hard enough,unless it is stopped in this way,it will never stop.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

ving, Anaheim, Ca — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 23:44:38 GMT

and I would bet a great percentage of the prosthetic limbs were exported all over the world and paid for again. Great biz if you can get into it.

The last American out of Miami bring the flag.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

JH, Rushville IN — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:11:00 GMT

I'd far rather pay the money for enough employees to ensure the system is working correctly than pay it to thieves who take advantage of the fact that there aren't enough to do the job. Based on these numbers, salaries and benefits for sufficient staff levels would be a drop in the busket compared to what we'd save. The government's reasoning vis-a-vis staffing seems to be penny wise and pound foolish.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Carol — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:27:26 GMT

Things like this make it very hard on people who REALLY need help. They need to prosecute people for cheating, and not just slap their hand. And they need to use these 'help' programs for American Citizens ONLY!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

uber bitsy — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:28:50 GMT

Brady, Mr. Potter didn't even come close to implying that all or most amputees are war veterans. He chose to use the number of Iraq war amputees as an illustration of how outrageous it is that two Florida counties claimed 89,803 artificial limbs. Using the number of Iraq war amputees as a comparison is certainly a valid exercise.

It's almost impossible for me to understand how such a mind-boggling number of claims for artificial limbs could have been paid without someone, somewhere becoming suspicious. It's just infuriating to think that this could have happened unquestioned, when Medicare made my mother jump through hoops for months before they finally approved payment for a medication she needed.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Kathleen, Bowling Green, KY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:29:24 GMT

Thanks V.K. Sharma, that is a list that I wouls like to see!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

fabooj — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:42:23 GMT

Hey Michael R...remember how much you don't like so-called socialized anything the next time your house burns down, you get rob, you need your trash picked up or to drive anywhere. Yeah, gov't run anything is a bad, bad, bad idea.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

joe dan, cudahy, wi — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:45:00 GMT

How can something like this go on in this country. It just go to show people will go and work this hard and doing somthing illegal. Can you imagine how much money and good they could do if they spent all this time on doing good.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

gary bendrey, bad axe, michigan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:50:49 GMT

The problem with our government agencies has little to do with understaffing. When an agency, or a part of government fails, of course the only solution is always to add more people and more money. That is exactly the problem. A majority of government workers in our entended local to federal government show up to collect their paychecks and little else. I personally know of local governmental agencies where even showing up is not required except on Friday's to get your paycheck. No one ever gets fired for substandard or unaceptable job performance, and at worst a non working (or sleeping on the job ) worker is pigeon holed in their job classification until retirement. The problem is not to few government workers, but way to many. You can double the number of moron's working for Healtlh and Human Services ( Medicare ) and still be no better off.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

MEDICINE, NYC, NY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 00:51:37 GMT

WOW

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jack H. Barger, Delaware, OH — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:09:36 GMT

When my children were born in 1960, 1962 and 1964, I had NO health insurance. Pre- and post natal care for their mother cost $250 including delivery. The hospital bill was less than $100 for each child. Then along came health insurance and all the other indirect costs (premium collection, fraud, CEO multi-million dollar salaries, etc.). Remember, Americans are good at cheating, stealing, being dishonest and then complaining. Universal health care?? Be careful what you wish for, you might get it!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

TB Morris, Green Bay WI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:12:59 GMT

It is interesting that DA in Denver thinks the answer is to hire more employees. Medicare is a sinkhole for money as it is. The more employees, the less actual money will be spent on the patients. Our government is not capable of running anything economically, especially not healthcare. We should keep this example in mind when we consider national healthcare.

Just look at what has been done with Social Security. The legislature has spent all of it. Nothing is left but IOU's. Should we give them more money to work with?

I think not. The money should stay in our pockets where it belongs, and we should decide how to invest for retirement.

I hope that everyone involved in this and other scandals involving public money are severely punished.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Marcus — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:21:44 GMT

For a fee of a miniscule 10%, I will move to Florida and verify the claim before payment. I know what a prosthesis looks like.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Kirsten Cowan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 01:43:03 GMT

Jeb Bush's state...is anyone THAT suprised?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jim F, Winnipeg, Manitoba — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:09:41 GMT

I get a kick out of the comments here that seem to blame your Government for paying the thieves. This is then used as an excuse to deride universal health care. Why not take the possibility of profit and theft out of the equation and stop all privatization. In Canada some of our public institutions are being replaced with "for profit" enterprises and the price always goes up.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

T. Sawyer, Lansing, Michigan — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:09:47 GMT

Where are all the good Floridians while all of this goes on? Elcetion fraud, medicaire fraud, a former Governor getting involved with family dying issues, immigration, rampant drug smuggling and the list goes on and on.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Shellbee Central Florida — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:14:54 GMT

This is really unfortunate for the people who need these prosthetics. Now, the people who really need the money are going to have to go through even more red tape to get the products that they need. Really sad.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

BC, Jacksonville, Florida — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:20:47 GMT

Gee, just a handful of the the thousands of "earmarks" (such as the famous Alaska Bridge to Nowhere) knocked out of the budget, and a subsequent diversion of that money to protecting taxpayers....and the Federal Government might be worth a squat. Wouldn't you think that SOMEONE with an ounce of concern would have thought it odd that so many people needed artificial limbs in S. Florida? Unfortunately, it's usually the OPM Syndrome at work once again (Other People's Money).

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Craig Koch — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:25:11 GMT

It seems to me, to deter this type of activity is to employ people to investigate the legitimacy of each case before payment. This has a two-fold advantage, one, payments are made to only good claims, and two, it creates jobs for people. In the long term, the revenue spent on salaries would still be less expensive than the revenue lost to fraud.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Dean Smith, Palm Desert, California — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:41:50 GMT

Govt. employees are the problem; outside contractors are the solution. Place a $20.00 bounty on each fraudulent claim discovered, and it will all stop within 6 months.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

R. Allison, Denton, TX — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:51:35 GMT

I have posed the question before: what does the government do well enough that you want it doing more of it? Certainly not anything to do with healthcare. Privatize all the government healthcare programs and we'd all be better off.

To some the creation of Medicare, in the 1960's began the modern "healthcare crisis" by adding another layer between patient and provider.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Name Witheld — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 02:55:38 GMT

I live in Miami. Most of the medicare fraud here is unfortunately commited by Clinicas run by the Cuban immigrants. This is one fact that the US Government does not want to relay to the rest of the US. After all, they vote Republican don't they?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

GLC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:13:53 GMT

What you have here is Illegal Aliens using false Soc Sec. numbers applying for and recieving medicare. Once they get the medicare they file the false claims, with the help of a Legal Resident Alien Doctor, for the artificial prosthetics.

Once the claims are paid, the doctor recieves his share, the illegal gets his/her share and some of the money is sent to the illegals country of origin. An estimated 80 billion a year is sent to Mexico alone. That doesn't include Cuba and the Middle Eastern countries. Unfortunitly the $95 million a year is just what we know about.

I know this sounds racial but sadly and unforunitly it's true. Our laws are being manipulated, with the help of liberals, to allow the illegal residents of this country to steal the american tax dollars at will.

The No Match Soc Sec numbers that keeps getting shot down in courts is hurting the middle class tax payer. In the end there won't be anything left for those of us who pay into these funds. The law requires the middle class to pay the FICA HI and FICA SS or face legal penalty while the illegal residents have nothing to fear from the U.S. government.

The irony is that, if your a legal tax paying resident, your expected by law, to pay taxs. If you are an illegal non-tax paying resident, you are entitled to all the benefits afforded to to legal tax payer, through the use of an illegal soc sec numbers which is illegal to inquire about due to the fact asking about soc sec numbers is illegal due to racial profiling.

God forbid we get a national health care policy. People living in Cuba, Guatemala and El Savador will have full coverage while the average legal resident of the U.S. will have to fight to enjoy the benefits in which he/she is paying for.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Fernando Urrutia, Panama City Beach Florida — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:31:10 GMT

I live on Florida and Im just a midclass worker from walmart, well I try to put my 2 kids on medicare and I get rejected, acording to them my income is high enought to pay for insurance for my kids, and I get a bill for $330 per month to have my babies on florida kidcare (or something like that)... more employees are not going to help, we need to reestructure the sistem to be sure they evaluate all the aplications for medicare on the correct way and dont turn down the people that really need the help and trow money to cheaters.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Ro Garrett, Sandy Hook, CT — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:37:25 GMT

Make the penalty fit the crime. Amputate the limb they are trying to cheat the taxpayers out of thier hard earned money. After amputating thier limb(s) make them work for the agency delivering prosthetics to real patients who need them for day to day activities.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

P. Chubbuck — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:41:24 GMT

How many times do we have to read these reports and not hear follow up. They know who received the payments in these 2 counties, how about making the persons have to prove the existence of need and if no need get the money back!! Shut them down but don't just report it and take it as a lost.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Carl Stump, Salem, VA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:56:33 GMT

Federal Government is not the only ones wasting taxpayers money! State and Local Governments build or lease/rent another building, and fill it up with un-needed employees that have to devise ways to look busy and say they are over worked and not paid enough goes on everywhere.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jim Miller, Huntington, WV — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 04:11:20 GMT

Why don't we put these people in charge of Medicare Fraud?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

B. J. Lauritzen, Twin Falls, Id. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 04:38:28 GMT

Sorry TB, but there never WAS any social security fund. Your social security tax is not a premium, as in insurance, it's just like any other tax and basically adds to the general fund. that's why it has to be re-authorized and re-funded (not refunded) every year. And while I understand your feelings about personal control, the vast majority of americans are financially illiterate, and the only american institutions less honest than the government are the members of the fortune 500, and the "personal financial advisors" that you would trust your life savings to.
By the way, SHAME on the rodents involved!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

John Cheek, Salisbury, NC — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 04:40:56 GMT

This is news? The Medicare system has been a fraud trough ever since 1965 when Lyndon Byrd and the democrats created it to buy the votes of old people. Who knows how many hundreds of billions of dollars have been stolen from the American taxpayer. Every now and then some news organization will do a report on some particularly outrageous bit of theft and there will be some headlines and some pompous harrumphing from the politicians along with some sincere promises that The System Will Be Cleaned Up NOW!!! But after a while the headlines fade away. The congressional clowns find some other noble cause to run their mouths over. Nothing is done and the crooks soon crawl out from under their rocks and continue to loot the system. Over the past 42 years, it has become obvious that the Medicare bureaucrats
are too lazy, stupid, and/or incompetent to properly verify Medicare claims. And even if they did, the democrats and other socialists would start howling that they were denying deserving people their natural right to government-subsidized health care money. This is a perfect example of the old saying that, in a democracy, people get the kind of government they
deserve. As long as the American peepul keep electing politicians who promise bread and circuses with low taxation, this is a tune we will continue to hear over and over again.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

j.l.spratt — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:14:38 GMT

its nothing new from florida.not only has the D.O.I.tryed for years to stop this kind of fraud it still happens just gets bigger as it goes.think thats bad??CHECK THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS NEXT!!!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

RH, TXK, TX — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:14:58 GMT

Remember, this is the same government that sent 15 billion in CASH to Iraq, and cannot accout for it. Any suprise that Medicare is screwed up

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Greg Hanson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:41:24 GMT

The corrupt Child Protection INDUSTRY removes thousands of kids from their homes for the FUNDING and pays for the ""services"" using Medicaid. They pay for ""Social Workers"" and therapists who are licensed for neither. Visit supervision is supervised by unlicensed ""Social Workers"" who are paid through Medicaid. I tried to complain to the Federal Medicaid Fraud hotline but was referred back to the STATE Medicaid Fraud investigators. Needless to say, asking the state to investigate ITSELF for a part in this fraud would be futile. Prosecutorial descretion and conflict of interest are huge problems when the state itself is part of a racket.

The Child Protection INDUSTRY, both in the corrupt state agencies and all of the massive contracts handed out to unqualified, unlicensed ""experts"" ought to be investigated as Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations under the RICO act, with prosecution mandatory for things like fraud and Perjury to ""make cases"".

These same corrupt ""Protection"" agencies have recently been developing a reputation for cases where they latch onto Senior Citizens and lock them in Nursing Homes under chemical restraint.

Apparently, just like with "dependency cases" for children, Iowa DHS doesn't have to prove to a JURY that their intervention and incarceration of people is really necessary. They have a huge conflict of interest because their FUNDING comes from big Federal grants.

When the current director of Iowa DHS, Kevin W. Concannon, was hired by then Governor Vilsack,
the governor's press release mentioned only one factor, bringing more FEDERAL DOLLARS to Iowa.
The press release made no mention of doing the right thing, helping families or cleaning up corruption.
It also made no reference to his performance in Maine.

Now we have this public/private agency officially called the Iowa Medicaid "ENTERPRISE".

Pulling for our fair share is fine, but the funding obsession has become an obsession to the point where it harms families and vulnerable adults, seeing them as a means to access Federal funding.

Florida's social services agencies became so corrupt that a "straight arrow" named Regier was put in charge a few years back to clean it up, but they dirtied him up instead.

To people in the cause of Family Rights against the agencies these staggering figures are more like the tip of the iceburg, a small portion of the actual corruption taking place.

Mere money is not the worst of it.
The stolen LIBERTY INTERESTS are worth more than mere money.

Families and Seniors deserve better than administrative ""tribunals"" reminiscent of Franz Kafka's "The Trial" (more literally "the process") or the "Evil Empire" (old USSR) we defeated.

The State of Florida administered this idiotic half billion worth of fraud, they should eat it.
The Feds should presume fraud unless a case is proven legitimate.

The usual pattern is that a few scapegoats will be chosen rather than blame the entire supervisory chain of command which is REALLY responsible. The chain of command at every level failed to supervise.
They probably won't be identified, fired or even get a wrist slap.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

E M Craig, San Jose, CA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 05:50:56 GMT

I was surprised to see that no one has been charged with a crime here (or mentioned in the article). Certainly there should be a paper trail indicating that a majority of these bills were sent to locations that would appear "suspect". Certainly we should expect that the FBI would have the ability in hindsight to identify the members of this scheme, and bring them to justice. Would this not be a reasonable expectation of our government?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

CSmith,Jasper,AL — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:31:28 GMT

The problem with Medicare really comes down to this folks-- The government has to hire so many from this group or that group in order to keep from getting sued. Which is the laws that they voted in to get re-elected. And the people that they are hiring do not have a clue what should be covered by Medicare because they do not understand the Medicare Manuel that the honest providers have to live by. The government hires the dumbest and laziest employees in order to get the votes to keep their jobs.

I would like to know how many illegals are working for our government because it is getting where everytime you talk to a government agency you can not understand a word they are saying.

People remember all of this election time. Always vote for a new comer so maybe they will not be too crooked --YET! But vote for an American!!

I worked for medical equipment companies for about 13 years and I had to fight to get Medicare to pay almost every claim. When I see so much fraud with heavy payments like this I think the system is either really dumb or it is an inside job to rob all of us taxpayers. Wake up America!!! Make some noise and make someone be held accountable!!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jim Ward — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:32:07 GMT

Before you jump to conclusions you have to remember that Florida is the state where you're most likely to hear someone say, "hold my beer and watch this".

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

lee marietta ga — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:45:50 GMT

i work for the gov and she's right we don't work hard. let them all go to jail. that will work

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Carlee Cook Temecula, Ca. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 07:47:18 GMT

This makes me sick! My son, who is now turning 5 years old, was born missing his right arm just below his elbow. We were told it was due to Amniotic Banding Syndrome. He received his first prosthetic at 4 months old. We have insurance and pay dearly every month for our coverage and yet over the past few years I have had to fight for my son to keep getting a new right arm due to growth. These people obviously need something to touch THEIR lives that MIGHT give them a conscience!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

BOB B. LANCASTER, PA. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 08:51:51 GMT

I ONLY TAKES A FEW TO MAKE AMERICA LOOK BAD IN THE NEWS AROUND THE WORLD. FRAUD PLAYED A BIG PART IN HURRICAN KATRINA ALSO.TEN YEAR AUTOMATIC JAIL SENTENCE FOR EACH VIOLATION WOULD BE A PLACE TO START.ALSO FINGER PRINTS NOTORIZED AN SENT ALONG FOR EACH CLAIM OVER A SET PRICE OF BILL, SUCH AS 3,000 DOLLARS.THAT WAY PRINTS COULD BE CHECKED FOR DOUBLICATES & FRAUD.REMEMBER MOST AMERICANS ARE GOOD & GENEROUS.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Zach Booth Plant City, Fl — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 09:18:45 GMT

Looey Roundup--1styou dumb down the population (US 1st in ed down to 18th in world) then you disarm the public, then along comes the dictator (see G.W. Bush, Dick Chaney, etc)

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

txtraveler — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 09:19:28 GMT

I am a nurse working in a rural hospital in Texas, I think medi-I-Don't-care should be scrapped and the money used to take care of Americans who need it. Anybody convicted of intentional fraud, not mis-coding, or some other error, should be shot. I would be glad to provide the pistol and the trigger finger

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Sara, Janesville, WI — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 09:46:52 GMT

The Government contracts out the processing of claims to private insurance companies. The reason it is so easy to defraud Medicare is due to the simplification of the claims processing system. Almost all claims are submitted electronically and no human being ever sees the claims. If there are no billing errors on the electronic submissions, the claims sail through the system and are paid direct deposit.
There are audits in place to prevent fraud but they are mostly on a claim by claim basis, and the claims generally get held up due to something in the patient's record rather than the billing provider's record. ie. too many services billed within a certain time frame, duplicate services, etc. Most of the fraud investigated by the contracted insurance companies if reported by the patients when they receive Medicare Summary Notices in the mail. Sadly, the notices are sent out monthly and by then the fraud has been paid out and the company can close up shop and open under another name after receiving it's windfall of payments for the thousands of claims it dumped into the Medicare system. Florida has an exceptionally high number of Medicare beneficiaries so the fraud is easier to commit. Also, these claims were for prostetics, a durable medical product, not for medical services. A supplier can get into the Medicare system easier than a physician because they don't need to have a license to practice medicine. The Government recently contracted all the durable medical claims to be processed by one private insurance company, while the fraud and abuse has been contracted to another private insurance company. The contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder on a per claim basis by most accounts. The companies holding the contracts are only budgeted the amount of money they bid to the government. They can't afford to hire more employees based on the budget allotted by their contract with the Government, unless they do not want to make a profit.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Bill Sherlock, Haverhill Mass — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:55:49 GMT

Why are the simple solutions always the best ones? Each and every fraudulent artificial limb claiment shall have their limb('s), actually removed. End of story, end of fraudulent artificial limb claimes.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

steve, winnipeg, manitoba — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:26:25 GMT

if you want a northern opinion, here you go. in canada we spend about 25 percent of our tax money on health care, 50 percent paying interest (yes JUST interest) on our governments oversea loans, and 25 percent on the rest. the average canadian pays half of every dollar they earn to taxes.

our healthcare system here is a shambles, with no alternative choices for getting healthcare. while i would not say a fully private system is the best choice, publically funding private companies on a piecework basis might just be a good idea.

the problem with medicare in either country is a complete lack of accountability which is what allows people to take such blatent advantage of the situation. a huge overhaul of the system is certainly in order. burning down any building containing medical information about patients and the size of their pocketbooks might be a good start.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

SirJohn, NYC, NY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:43:20 GMT

This is exactly what happened with the New York No Fault law. You had providers billing for services that were never rendered. It took New York State and the NY Insurance Department over ten years to fight the fraud and it's just now, maybe under control. On a national level you would need the examiners paying these claims to care. They are the front line of fraud defense but again they must care. Not only that, they would need a simple and effective means to report their concerns. This must be effective and rewarding or they, the examiners, would just revert back to the old ways. It can be done.....and it will take time.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

S. Dilan, Rio Grande, PR — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:55:34 GMT

If it’s hard to catch these bulk frauds, imagine trying to catch those who seem to randomly pass out any type of useless equipment. A couple of years ago, I helped an elderly friend of mine contact a hospital rep who had an automated wheelchair delivered to her husband. Her doctor, who knew her husband was having some difficulty walking, offered it to her even though he hadn’t seen her husband in about 2 years. The couple never goes out and their hallway was so narrow that it could only be used to move him 8 feet from his living room chair to the dining area. Though he could see that it was useless to them, the delivery person insisted that they should keep it saying, “Don’t worry, it’s covered by Medicare.” I had to fight with the hospital rep for 45 minutes and threaten to call Medicare before she finally agreed to take it back.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

rje — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 12:58:43 GMT

A good example of what can happen when computerized systems handle business without enough human oversight. Certain people know it and that's why they take full advantage of it.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Hugh Baker, Toronto, Ontario, Canada — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:02:06 GMT

it MIGHT be fraud, or it could be that health care in Florida is so abominably bad that people are losing limbs to type-2 diabetes at an apalling rate in Florida.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

MDE, MAINE — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 13:51:34 GMT

I live in a town of about 1200 ppl. and there are 6 of us that have lost limbs, and not in the war these are do to cancer and accidents.so figure it out the numbers given in the article above say's nothin about how many other amputees there are in the county's i do think there is some fraud going on but i have also seen real ppl. who need these limbs not get them or the ones they do get don't work or fit right i know been there done that.. then when you need to get it fixed to work or fit right you can't cause medicare won't pay for it.. the whole system needs to be redone and have more fraud investigaters, but not hinder patience who need it. just my take

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Chris Ely, St. Johnsbury, VT — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:03:30 GMT

How many Medicare employees depend on this outright fraud to pay their bills? Some (many) systems are self feeding!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

TOMMY NY NY — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:16:01 GMT

THE UNITED STATES ARE DONE. WITH ALL THE CORRUPT PEOPLE LEARNING THAT THIS IS THE THE WAY OF THE LAND. GET WHAT YOU CAN AND DON'T GET CAUGHT THATS OUR NEW COUNTRY MOTTO. WHAT A SHAME

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Steve, Pittsbugh, PA — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:22:54 GMT

I believe it was the founding fathers who would opine that a "free" country cannot remain free for very long when its citizens are this fraudulent. Our system of government relies heavily on the goodness of our citizenry...this kind of behavior is extremely troubling, and is a more significant vulnerability than open borders, muslim extremists, etc.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Nicholas, San Antonio — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:37:39 GMT

We might as well move the White House to South Florida, as that is where the principles governing America today were born. Anyone looking for the reason behind such rampant, widespread, and generalized corruption in the federal government would do well to read Macbeth.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

mc,somewhere S.C. — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:51:20 GMT

keep private healthcare BUT REGULATE IT!! Stop some
of the garbage like patientA with no insurance gets
charged 2500.00 for procedure Z. patientB has insurance and the total charge is only 700.00 before insurance payment. If the providers can make money at 700.00 Here lies a huge problem, PatientA has no insurance because he makes too much for assistance but not enough to afford the ridiculous premiums...but he
gets charged sometimes as much as three times what
medical insurance companies pay for the same service.
Seems backwards huh? We need some intervention in
health care on a national level...the current private system is broken. Medical services is a BUSINESS and
is therefore a greedy entity that will take unfair
advantage when they can. PRICE CAPPING REGULATIONS
might help??? only ideas I dont pretend to know the answers.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Bil Richards — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 14:54:20 GMT

Every election is promises of more help to the poor and elderly, and if anyone says they will fix the problem they are hailed as taking away benefits. It's our money and it's time for us to unite and take care of the problem we all know exists. They work for us.It's not just in medicare, it's everywhere in the government. How long are we going to tolerate it???????

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Bill Enstrom Gardner, Kansas — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:01:59 GMT

Here we go again, and again and again. Just one more reason to have controlled country wide heath insurance. You people think the oil companies are getting rich, look at the insurance companies. With doctors in their pockets and hospitals wearing mask's like robbers, good god people when will enough be enough! Remember people, there not here to cure, or here to relieve, there here to make a profit! When it finally stops, look out. Something is going to hit the fan, and it won't be roses!!

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Marc, Hollywood, Florida — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:03:10 GMT

This is very disheartening. As a physician practicing in Broward County I know that the vast majority of Doctors and healthcare providers bill as accuately and carefully as possible to avoid even having the appearance of fraud.

At the same time this tremendous waste in the system forces us to contend with shrinking Medicare reimbursement and hours of paperwork and oversight just to do our job and get paid.

The Centers for Medicare Services need to work with the Inspector Generals office to investigate and prosecute malicious abuses like this.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jim Cerullo — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 15:21:32 GMT

The sad thing about reading these comments is the stupidity of some of the posters. If they're also voters- it's easy to see how a buffoon like dumbya got
enough votes to make stealing the last two elections possible. While dumbya, rove and cheney loot ourt treasury, some of the bozos posting here think it's government workers that are the problem.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Fred Just, Watterville, Washington — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:13:23 GMT

Gee doesnt any say the truth it is the Hospitials and Doctors who are the ones doing this

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

James Shannon, Coral Springs, Florida — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:30:14 GMT

Welcome to yet another reason on the list of things that are out of control in south Florida. I've lived in south Florida, Broward county for the past four years, in Florida most of my life and I'm a 7th generation American. This is not about being in opposition to immigration, but simply stating the facts that most refuse to acknowledge in America. In fact my wife who is Russian by birth and legally immigrated here 12 years ago and a naturalized American citizen for the past 5 years is a real example of how the system works.

South Florida is quite frankly the best representation of a blatant third world culture and mentality living here in America I have ever experienced. I’ve lived, not visited in other countries for business purposes for up to three years and know the differences in how immigrants are treated in other countries and here. South Florida converted as the hub of South and Central America and Miami being the number one city in the world for foreign born residents are two ingredients for this American ignored and neglected cultural disaster.

The reflections are in your face and recordable for exposure if you open your eyes. A traditional American living in South Florida is part of a very small minority at best I would estimate 3 out of 10. This number would reflect all the actual populace living here including the illegal aliens, which interesting enough are not Mexicans, but mostly Central, and South Americans, Caribbean Islanders, Haitians and Europeans. This divulges of foreign influence to this area has induced a complete lack of and respect for the English language, American laws, American traditions and American patriotism. I understand and respect cultural differences having lived in other countries, but those countries did not change for me, I had to change and acclimate myself to their culture and language to live there.

This simple but ignored rule of respect was expressed by Theodor Roosevelt in the early 1900’s when he said that America welcomes all, but that to become an American you will learn and speak English and be loyal to only one sovereign flag and country and acclimate into the American culture not try and replace it.

This blatant disrespect of American way of life is seen in every aspect of life in South Florida and is continually encouraged by the continued influence from local politicians, businesses and rental landlords that support this overflow of foreigners to this monetarily protected dream like sanctuary. Coming from some of the most corrupt and unaccountable countries in the world can result in this third world mentality of milking the cow the cow for all you can and as fast as you can, before she dries up and quits giving milk. Then simply find another cow. This is not to disrespect those that do come to this country legally and do the right thing in respect for living in America and/or becoming an American, but to express exposure to those that do not and those that continue to harbor and condone this behavior in South Florida, a continental part of the United States of America.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Viktor Popp — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 17:16:55 GMT

Incompetence starts at the top,with US secretary of
human health and services Michael Leavitt.It filters
all the way down to the managers in the local social
security offices.Miami-Dade and Broward counties are
a fine example of long term corruption,and Mr.Leavitt
did not know about it?Every employee in these southern
Florida soc.sec.offices is involved,criminally,or
not wanting to address the problem,what also makes it
a crime.They all know about the rip-offs.They should allready have been arrested,before the Media had a chance to informe the public,then go after patients
and doctors,and illegitime medical supply companies.
Lawenforcement agency investigations also seem to drag
on for ever and ever.This has something to do with pollitcal correctness.The local goverment connections
with certain induviduals,needs to be looked at.This is all wishful thinking on my part.I will do my part,
and antagonise my congressmen,and the speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi with my demand[not asking]of explaining"THE CUT from next years omnibus spending
bill,a proposed increase of $183 million,that was
supposed to help curb MEDICARE FRAUD"Complaining alone
does not change anything.My suggestion is,act on it,
contact your representative.If this does not work,let
your representative know,that you will change your vote at the ballotbox.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Linda Van Dyk, Columbiana, Oh — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:09:26 GMT

I don't feel the Dr's allow enough time to really see & understand the patients needs . Why are the tests going to Carolina's or Africa to be read & take so long for the results? Why so out landish Hospital & medical bills? No wonder so many "Go in the hole". Why so many colors of meds when it's to be the same meds? This Soc Sec raise is nothing compared to all other rising costs..GOD help this country& a new Pres.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

James Phillips — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:14:43 GMT

I resent the remarks from those who say government employees are lazy and that understaffing is not the real issue. They have no idea how little control the State Agency has. State Medicaid employees do understand the problems and have offered excellent suggestions to make the Program more efficient and less costly. Employees are continuously recommending changesthat would make the Medicaid Program better, but aren't given the permission or the means or the manpower to do so.

I challenge anybody who doubts this to go to work for the Louisiana Medicaid Program to see what it is really like. It is totally frustrating to want to made a difference but to not be given permission or the means to do so.

The problem is not with the workers, it is with the politicians who actually control the expenditures and the way the Programs are operated. Allow the Louisiana Medicaid Agency to operate without interference from the governor and legislators and much more could be done to serve the public. I could write a book about what is wrong with the System, but if you want to blame anybody, blame the elected officials and not the understaffer, under-supported, and under appreciated hard working state employees who would love to have the necessary support to change the system.

P.S. The poorest workers in my office always seems to be the ones who got the job because a legislator "asked" the Agency to hire him or her. The ones who got the job the hard way, by working up throught the system, overall are very good employees.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Melanie, Lexington, KY — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:13:43 GMT

As a government employee I have worked my hiney off to get where I'm at...however, I do agree that there are a lot of slovenly government employees particularly DoD. Frankly, I think VEOA is one of the worst programs congress could have enacted. The program allows retirees currently working in military positions to convert that position to a civilian position. Anyway, the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) will weed out some of the sloths.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Randy L. Richmond VA. — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 00:34:44 GMT

I have a artificial lim,this makes it hard for the people that need it.Someone needs to take one of there lims, so they have to go threw we do.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jim Dryburgh — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 02:06:04 GMT

Help me out here. 'Congress' doesn't cut $183 million. If the money was in there, then it was cut by someone. You should be able to tell us who, and knowing tha tmight make it possible to rally support to fix it. Why did it get cut, and who's responsible. And why can't I email you directly with this?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Ed Johnson,Odessa,Tx — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 20:41:51 GMT

What about the idiot at Medicare who actually approves the claim?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Leon, Los Angeles, CA — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:20:41 GMT

Forgive me Mr. Potter, but you have demonstrated an bulldozing recklessness re: an aspect of POTENTIAL problems. You FAIL to address whether the FRAUD was even identified; nor, was there any mention of arrests. Mr. Potter as a journalist, you should know the following: First Amendment, free Speech and the individuals if arrested areINNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. Again, this blog and you the writer fail irresponsibly to consider possible reasons for a large amount. My inference Mr. Potter is that you have violarted simple jounralism 101-be impartial, objective and above, BE JUST. My response is not an ad hominem-nor a disparagement , but a analysis of potentially areas that Mr. Potter overlooked akin to Mike Nifong?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Greg Hanson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 05:35:01 GMT

Social Services are by their very nature an invitation for organized crime.

I discovered a routine abuse done by the states where Medicaid is used to pay for unlicensed Social Workers and unlicensed ""therapists"". Child Protection contracts. I tried to complain to the Federal Medicaid Fraud hotline but was referred back to the STATE Medicaid Fraud investigators. Needless to say, asking the state to investigate ITSELF for a part in this fraud would be futile. Prosecutors descretion and conflict of interest are huge problems when the state itself is part of a racket.

Child Protection itself ought to be investigated under the RICO act. Caseworkers ""make cases"" using perjury and fraud to violate the Constitutional Rights of families.

Iowa's Medicaid is handled by a public/private agency officially called an "ENTERPRISE".

Mere money is not the worst of it. The stolen LIBERTY INTERESTS of families and Seniors are worth more than mere money.

Families and Seniors deserve better than administrative ""tribunals"" reminiscent of Franz Kafka's "The Trial" (more literally "the process") or the "Evil Empire" (old USSR) we defeated.

The State of Florida administered this idiotic half billion worth of fraud for these fictional prosthetic limbs. The State of Florida should eat it. Are the Feds dumb enough to pay for it?

The usual pattern is that a few scapegoats will be chosen rather than blame the entire supervisory chain of command which is REALLY responsible. The chain of command at every level failed to supervise. They probably won't be identified, fired or even get a wrist slap.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

confussed in chicago — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 20:18:05 GMT

well it seems that hollywood stars get more media attention, than these crooks..as if we really care what some millionare as done...what about this?? does this warrant a line or two in the press?? or is this not as important than a traffic violation or teen pregnacy from some rich kids???

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

R Cliff Rutherford NJ — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:05:04 GMT

just another day at the waterfountain for the government.
Give everything away because they don't do there jobs, let the crooks get away and then cry. If you make an honest mistake the government wants to put you in jail forever. But all the criminals can walk away.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Steve Marchisio — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 21:25:34 GMT

Mark, the war or trauma which everyone assumes is the only reason people lose limbs is not the cause. It's the huge elderly population where cardio vascular disease and diabetes is the real factor. I work in prosthetics and have firsthand information. I can assure you that there are staggering numbers of amputees due to the more prevalent diseases in the VA system. Because the population in Florida has such a high concentration of geriatric patients it is not surprising that there would be higher numbers. A good cover for the scammers.
The fraud you mention is indeed very real and troubling. Florida in particular has been a hotbed of scams. There have been several audits in the last few years on DME in that region.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

CPO — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:40:34 GMT

Prosthetic limbs are billed with a main code and then codes for the specific components used. Could they be counting each individual code as a whole prosthesis? CPO

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

D. Benson Greenville SC — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:56:56 GMT

Unfortunately the backlash from this sort of event only makes it more difficult for legitimate prosthetists to serve their patients, while the scam artists continue to operate with brazen impunity. Medicare is now in the process of requiring another layer of accreditation for prosthetic/orthotic facilities, which are already burdened with paperwork and reporting requirements. In Florida a facility must supposedly have a physical presence with licensed staff to properly bill and be reimbursed for services, yet time and again these boiler room operations pop up that only have salespeople channel phony paperwork, and never actually see or deliver a prosthesis to patients. How they continue to do this boggles the mind, but probably has something to do with the fact that a lot of this is done through electronic billing and a lot of damage is done before it's noticed by real people. It would seem that an oversight process is desperately needed, but that seems to be the case for much in Washington. Are any of our candidates listening?

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

joe Q Altoona,Al — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:21:32 GMT

Don't cry make a difference. " Go Vote"

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Concerned Citizen, USA — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 02:35:17 GMT

"The federal government decided long ago that it knew how to manage your health care better than you and replaced personal responsibility and accountability with a system that puts corporate interests first. Our free market health care system that was once the envy of the world became a federally-managed disaster."

Dr. Ron Paul
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/health-care/

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Glen Waldner, Montgomery, AL — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:12:38 GMT

As a Florida licensed prosthetist that moved out of state, I can say most of the fraudulent payments went to unlicensed people -- in direct opposition to laws already on the books requiring Medicare to make payments only to licensed providers. Sure the crooks are terrible, but they steal with Medicare's permission.

Artificial limbs, but real Medicare fraud

Jim Harrison, Waltham, MA — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:59:03 GMT

Why don't we have a "Medicare fraud hunter" type system. Give people special license to find medicare frauds and bring them to justice. Pay them a small percentage of what they save the government. Big Government programs never work.