Fraud through telemedicine is happening. It even outpaces substance abuse treatment facilities fraud and illegal opioid distribution schemes by as much as three times. Residents of New York may want to know more about this type of fraud.
According to legal sources, Medicare loosened restrictions for the contact of the elderly homebound as well as other vulnerable patients. This allowed scammers to move in.
Telemedicine fraud
It involves telemarketing schemes that work with unethical doctors. They conduct sham visits in order to increase the size of their operations. They don’t bill the patient. Instead, they bill government-funded healthcare programs for unnecessary medical supplies and testing.
National Rapid Response Strike Force cracks down
The Department of Health and Human Services Office is well aware of this type of scheme. Maybe they saw it coming.
The expansion of telemedicine service happened as the office saw the need to reach a wider audience. A 2019 study showed that telehealth might be an important tool in expanding behavioral health services to a vulnerable part of the population.
Fraud harms beneficiaries
Harmed are those who need and benefit from telemedicine services. It is a threat to future access, especially to those with limited mobility. Those with a weakened immune system are also at risk.
Whistleblowing pays
People who report this type of healthcare fraud against the government may get a bonus. They might receive 15% to 25% of the recovered funds. The government wants to avoid waste, especially with new and emerging technologies.
Telemedicine fraud wastes dollars and puts needed services at risk. It now outpaces other schemes, including fraud regarding substance abuse centers and illegal opioid distribution schemes. The government takes telemedicine fraud seriously.