During a recent conference in Baltimore, officials from the Biden administration were met with a barrage of concerns from health-care providers regarding financial losses caused by an alleged fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary urinary catheters and other equipment. The scheme reportedly cost Medicare over $2 billion, prompting federal officials to launch an investigation.
At the conference, coordinated care providers voiced their frustrations to officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services about the challenges they are facing due to waste, fraud, and abuse in billing for catheters and durable medical equipment. Providers emphasized the need for answers and solutions to address the ongoing issues impacting their financial stability.
The National Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (NAHPC) also addressed the issue at the conference, calling on CMS to take immediate action to address billing fraud related to catheters and other medical equipment. The NAHPC urged CMS to implement policies that would prevent future instances of fraudulent billing practices and ensure that patients receive appropriate care while minimizing costs.
In response to these concerns, CMS officials promised to work closely with providers and industry stakeholders to develop effective solutions that would address waste, fraud, and abuse in billing for catheters and other medical equipment. Officials also pledged to continue investigating the alleged fraud scheme involving medically unnecessary urinary catheters and other equipment in order to recover stolen funds for Medicare.
