Many people working in the medical field have a specific mental image in mind when they hear the term “medical fraud”. People working in small clinics especially tend to view this as an issue that plagues larger institutions.
However, medical fraud charges can end up brought against anyone working in the medical community. Thus, it is important to keep an eye on your clinic and your staff in order to avoid any legal issues.
What is healthcare fraud?
Cornell Law School goes into detail explaining healthcare fraud, a form of fraud that involves filing incorrect or dishonest claims for the purpose of turning a profit. This can include everything from selling unneeded prescriptions on the black market to just altering dates or descriptions of services. In fact, it is entirely possible for someone on staff to engage in fraudulent behavior without realizing that is what they have done.
How do you handle it?
To handle this, you must first correct the problem you notice. If you work with companies that engage in shady practices and you catch wind of these illegal or unethical actions, stop working with them immediately, or you could end up dragged down with them. Go through your bills periodically to identify any problems and find the source. Keep an eye out for overcharges, incorrect bills and other mistakes. Return overpayments and do not file suspicious-looking bills. Report any large problems that you do not think you can handle on your own.
Once you have succeeded here, take steps to ensure your practice does not suffer again. Make sure your staff goes through training to identify signs of fraud and consider conducting occasional internal audits.