Federal budget: Anti-fraud measures will intensify

by CHARLES FIEGL on Feb 2, 2010

The federal budget for fiscal year 2011 (Oct. 1, 2010-Sept. 30, 2011) shows HHS will increase efforts to ferret out "health care fraud and reduce improper payments."

The budget allocates $561 million for Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control activities that will expand the Health Care Fraud Prevention & Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) initiative. In return, the government expects it will see $740 million in reductions of, or aversions to, improper payments.

Another item shows CMS will save $109 million by strengthening its program integrity programs, which include recoupment of overpayments, allowing "additional flexibilities in medical review" and access to information about fraudulent suppliers. Last November, President Barack Obama signed an executive order to implement policies that eliminate health care fraud.

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