Write Lightning is a blog from writer Deb Thompson.
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Everyone is welcome here.
(Some links or topics may not be completely kid-appropriate.)
Thu, Dec 06 2007
Medicare fraud makes criminals of some patients, leaves others without care
I'm not on Medicare, but I know plenty of folks who use it. It's disturbing to read about the scams and fraud going on in the system. Some of the specific incidences involove infusion therapy for HIV patients and Scooter Store claims. Needy patients are often recruited into the fraudulent activities, even if it means they don't get the real treatment they need.
Much of the trouble seems to come from Florida, particularly South Florida, and has apparently become a favored white collar form of crime for former drug runners. It's pretty amazing when criminals abandon the illegal stuff in favor of making more money through legitimate drugs and services. In the meantime, I watch my older friends struggle to get this or that procedure or medication approved by Medicare while they sweat over their very limited household budgets to figure out how to make ends meet. I know the system didn't become corrupt overnight. But something has gone badly wrong when this much corruption happens on a daily basis. I'm not sure what we'll do to fix it now. Maybe things will have to get a lot worse before they get better.
posted at: 06:52 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
I'm not on Medicare, but I know plenty of folks who use it. It's disturbing to read about the scams and fraud going on in the system. Some of the specific incidences involove infusion therapy for HIV patients and Scooter Store claims. Needy patients are often recruited into the fraudulent activities, even if it means they don't get the real treatment they need.
Much of the trouble seems to come from Florida, particularly South Florida, and has apparently become a favored white collar form of crime for former drug runners. It's pretty amazing when criminals abandon the illegal stuff in favor of making more money through legitimate drugs and services. In the meantime, I watch my older friends struggle to get this or that procedure or medication approved by Medicare while they sweat over their very limited household budgets to figure out how to make ends meet. I know the system didn't become corrupt overnight. But something has gone badly wrong when this much corruption happens on a daily basis. I'm not sure what we'll do to fix it now. Maybe things will have to get a lot worse before they get better.
posted at: 06:52 | category: /Health and Fitness | link to this entry
