Home healthcare under fire: fraud and abuse.
Fraudulent and abusive practices in home healthcare are costly. They damage the integrity of the home health agency, the home care industry, and home care providers. Federal and state enforcement activities have increased exponentially over the past few years to fight fraud and abuse, resulting in the collection of nearly $1.1 billion in fines, settlements, and administrative impositions in 1997. This article discusses the issues of fraud and abuse and the responsibilities of home healthcare providers toward prevention and control of such practices.
Tahan
H A
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Columbia University, School of Nursing, New York, USA. Htahan@smtplink.mssm.edu
D014487:Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, U.S.; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D005161:Facility Regulation and Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005607:Fraud / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States