Federal Government Increases Pressure for Agencies to Detect & Recover Improper Payments

OPEN MINDS Weekly News Wire Strategic Health Care News In 2009, the federal government wasted $98 billion in improper payments; in 2008, improper payments were $72 billion. The increase was largely driven by improved detection of improper payments and the large amount of federal spending associated with the economic downturn. Improper payments include overpayments to individuals or firms and benefits provided to ineligible program participants. To combat improper payments and fraud in the Medicare program, the joint Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Justice Medicare Fraud Strike Force has expanded its operations into Brooklyn, New York; Tampa . . .