In celebration of the 44th anniversary of Medicare, the segment reported that a multi-state crackdown on Medicare fraud resulted in 32 arrests in Houston, Boston, and Miami, recovering approximately $370 million.

Marcella was quoted on the financial benefits of fraud investigations, suggesting that costs for health care reform – a topic of current heated controversy – could be significantly defrayed by recovering more money from Medicare fraud and similar healthcare violations.

Marcella pointed out that, with the Federal government’s strengthened efforts to fight Medicare fraud in particular, the system has received a $15 return for every dollar spent on investigations and prosecution.

To view the full segment, go here: http://www.pbs.org/nbr/info/local-player.html?s=nbre07s2dccq669

To read the related article, go here: http://www.pbs.org/nbr/blog/2009/07/fighting_medicare_fraud.html

These indictments come immediately after the government recently publicized the creation of a Medicare anti-fraud task force aimed at reducing the millions of dollars wasted every year in healthcare fraud. The task force has said it will focus on all participants in fraud, be it the corporation, the physician, or even patients.  

Marcella pointed out that she believed there will be many more similar Medicare fraud indictments and cases in the near future. Meanwhile, whistleblowers will continue to play an important and crucial role in the government’s crackdown on healthcare fraud. When employees or physicians who are aware of misconduct do not come forward, the government will initiate investigations proactively, often resulting in a large number of indictments against the company or hospital, as demonstrated by this bellwether case in Detroit.