The Signs to See Before Reporting Healthcare FraudPosted by Dencker Henry on May 18th, 2021 In theory, healthcare is meant to protect people. It's made to ensure that individuals have the best possible care, whether it?s for routine checkups or thorough exams. In any case may be, not all specialists and practices follow the same guidelines, which is where in fact the topic of healthcare fraud comes into play. Historically, this can negatively affect patients and, in the long term, caused irreparable harm to businesses. When reporting healthcare fraud, here are a few of the signs to be on the lookout for. Phantom Billing - Have you been billed for services that weren't delivered? Were you already billed for something provided, only to be billed again before any follow-up was done? Phantom billing is one of the tell-tale signs of healthcare fraud and to say that it can be a drain will be an understatement. In addition to putting innocent people at financial risk, it could cause emotional distress. If you believe that you were wrongly billed for services conducted, it?s all the more reason to learn how to report healthcare fraud . Upcoding - Defined as the procedure by which a bill is sent for a service that's more expensive than it should be based on what was provided, upcoding is another tell-tale sign of healthcare fraud to note. It's important to remember that upcoded bills can be delivered to multiple parties, from patients to health insurance providers and beyond. In addition to putting patients in unfortunate spots, upcoding can have a negative impact on insurance providers, which also impacts their policyholders. In terms of healthcare fraud across the board, upcoding remains a serious circumstance. Improper Diagnosis - Another way that practices and specialists may fraudulently bill patients is by giving improper diagnoses. For example, a person could have pulled a muscle throughout a workout. However, a crooked doctor could inform them they?ve completely torn their bicep. In this situation, they may be told to endure surgery when it isn't needed. This costs patients money and, based on the procedure, may pose health threats. Misrepresentation of Information - Lastly, it's important to note the possibility of information being misrepresented. Case and point, a patient may attend a health care provider's office throughout a single afternoon for a procedure. However, if it?s reported that the individual has been to the same office two days in a row, it can leave said patient open to double billing, that is a fraudulent activity. Information can be misrepresented by way of location. By indicating an individual received a service in one area, when they did in a separate area, it can impact just how much they?re charged. They are just a few types of how inaccurate information can negatively impact patients, showcasing just how serious healthcare fraud can be. Have you witnessed one or more of these instances? If so, there exists a chance that healthcare fraud is present and must be addressed. Assuming you have specific information, including paperwork, you will be able to make a case that may benefit others in the future. Speak to an experienced whistleblower attorney to get started. They will help you report fraud on any scale, ensuring that your personal information remains confidential, protecting you in the process.Like it? Share it! More by this author |