Friday,April19, 2013
Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you have any questions about the Illinois SMP program, or to receive these Fraud Alerts directly, please contact Jason Echols, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator at AgeOptions.
This project was supported in part by grant numbers 90MP0163 and 90SP0015 from the U.S. Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy.
Fraud In The News
The following are current news articles about health care and fraud issues.
Consumer Fraud:
- “Helping Victims of the Bombing in Boston — Make Sure Your Donations Count” (FTC):
- “Consumers Report: The FTC Fraud Survey” (FTC):
- “Scams by the Season” (AARP):
- “Protect Your Parents From Financial Fraud” (AARP):
Dear SMP readers,
This week’s Fraud Alert containsa news story on seven arrests and search warrants issued against a Chicago area hospital, a resource on scams and older adults from the FBI, and a special thanks.
Have a great weekend!
What you will find in this week’s Fraud Alert
- Seven People from Chicago Hospital Arrested This Week
- Resource: FBI’s “Fraud Target: Senior Citizens”
- A Special Thanks
On Tuesday, six peopleaffiliated with Sacred Heart Hospital in Chicago, including the owner, were arrested in connection with an alleged kickback scheme involving more than $225,000 in cash.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS OIG) also issued search and seizure warrants on Tuesday for an ongoing Medicare and Medicaid fraud investigationof the hospital regarding medically unnecessary services and unnecessary emergency room admissions.
Read the original press release for more details on Tuesday’s arrests and the ongoing fraud investigation, including allegations of how these schemes were implemented:
On Thursday, a seventh individual was arrested. This physician was charged with illegally prescribing hydrocodone without having a valid license. The following is a press release on this seventh arrest:
Resource: FBI’s “Fraud Target: Senior Citizens”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)has a special webpage highlighting fraud and scams that target older adults, which is a good resource for tips on fraud prevention. Visit the page here:
At the top of the page, the FBI has outlined some common reasons why older adults are targeted by scammers, including the fact that more older adults have savings, own their homes, have excellent credit, or have benefits (e.g. Medicare) that are attractive to scammers. The fact that older adults are so often the targets of scams is important to remember in encouraging and empowering someone to report fraud (which can include calling SMP at AgeOptions). People targeted by scams are not foolish or incompetent, but rather the scammers are very good at playing with people’s emotions to give up personal information or send more money.
A Special Thanks
This year, AgeOptions’ social work intern Kevin Kim has helped SMP with these Fraud Alert emails. As he prepares to graduate, we thank Kevin for his work and wish him the best of luck in his future social work career!
Jason B. Echols, MSW, Health Care Consumer Protection Coordinator
AgeOptions
1048 Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, IL60301
phone (708)383-0258 fax (708)524-0870
ageoptions.org
AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, is committed to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity of older adults and those who care about them – through leadership and support, community partnerships, comprehensive services, accurate information and powerful advocacy.
Fraud Alertscontain information about current scams taking place in Illinois, announcements and updates about programs or services related to health care and/or fraud protection, and links to news articles about health care and fraud topics. Please forward any recommendations or announcements that you would like to be included in a future Fraud Alert to .