Ask the DA: Combatting Medicaid fraud
As a new retiree, I was particularly interested in a recent news story where you announced the indictment of a doctor who was charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from Medicaid and Medicare for services he did not render. Can you tell me what your office is doing to combat such criminal abuses of our healthcare system?
Medicaid is a government-subsidized benefit for those who cannot afford medical care. Medicaid fraud can be committed by either the provider who provides the medical services, or by the individual who receives the benefit, and intentionally misrepresents facts affecting their eligibility to receive Medicaid.
My office prosecutes Medicaid fraud cases in Brooklyn that are referred to us by the Human Resource Administration or reported by people such as you. Twelve years ago, I created a Public Assistance Crimes Unit (PAC) to address Cash Assistance, Medicaid, Food Stamp and other related frauds which divert funds from the disadvantaged who are in need of these services. This group of dedicated, highly skilled attorneys also prosecute individuals engaged in Medicaid related black market prescription medication trafficking.