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02/28/2000 |
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Make 'Em Pay: GAO Reports on Improperly Lenient Medicare Overpayment Settlements Thomas W. Coons
The General Accounting Office recently released a report arguing that, of 96 Medicare overpayment settlements it reviewed, the 3 largest settlements "compromised" approximately $212 million in lost overpayments. The report states that HCFA "should have obtained clarification from those charged with implementing the Federal Claims Collection Act, including the Department of Justice and/or GAO, before unilaterally choosing not to obtain approval from Justice of the settlements." HCFA regulations require the referral of "all claims that exceed $100,000 ... to the Department of Justice or the General Accounting Office" (24 C.F.R. § 401.601(c)). The report levels accusations against former HCFA Administrator Bruce Vladeck, claiming that he pressured subordinates into writing off money owed HCFA without GAO/DOJ approval. To view the GAO's report on the Web, visit http://www.gao.gov/, click on GAO Reports (left navigation bar), then under "Recent Reports and Testimony" click on "listed by title" and scroll down to "HCFA: Three Largest Medicare Overpayment Settlements Were Improper" (GAO/OSI-00-4). After three months, search for the report at the GAO's archive: http://www.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces160.shtml. For more information about Medicare overpayment settlements, contact Health Law attorney and former HCFA General Counsel Tom Coons at twcoons@ober.com. |
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Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver Maryland Washington, D.C. Virginia |
