ObamaCare implementation agency paid out $23 million on behalf of dead people

ObamaCare implementation agency paid out $23 million on behalf of dead people

October 31, 2013, 12:02 pm

By Jonathan Easley

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/188832-medicare-agency-paid-out-23-million-on-the

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) paid $23 million to providers, suppliers, Medicare Advantage organizations and prescription drug plan sponsors on behalf of beneficiaries who died between 2009 and 2011, the OIG found.

That’s less than one-tenth of one percent of total Medicare expenditures, and the report says CMS “has safeguards to prevent and recover” those payments.

The OIG offered a handful of recommendations, such as taking action against providers and suppliers that had high numbers of claims with service dates after a beneficiary’s death, as a way to minimize further inappropriate payments.

CMS said it concurs with all the OIG’s recommendations and is committed to preventing and recovering the payments.

"Agency actions are underway, and in the areas where noted, we are working with law enforcement and other federal agencies, including OIG, to protect the Medicare program, the people using its benefits and services, and using additional resources made available under the Affordable Care Act to detect and prevent fraud from taking place," a CMS representative told The Hill in a statement.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Note: Tom Daschle was the nominee for health and human services secretary for the Barack Obama administration, is a director at the Center for American Progress, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

Donald M. Berwick is a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, and was an administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

George Soros was a supporter for the Center for American Progress, and is the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Center for American Progress, the Committee for Economic Development, the Brookings Institution (think tank), and Human Rights First.

Donna S. Morea was a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, at the EVP for the CGI Group Inc.

CGI Group Inc. was the Obamacare contractor that developed Healthcare.gov web site.

Harold H. Koh was a trustee at the Brookings Institution (think tank), a director at Human Rights First, the State Department legal adviser for the Barack Obama administration, and is Howard K. Koh’s brother.

Howard K. Koh is Harold H. Koh’s brother, and the assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Barack Obama administration.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.