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A New Initiative
The Coalition of Wisconsin Aging Groups (CWAG) was recently selected by the federal government as one of only 12 organizations nationwide to develop an exciting new volunteer project to help root out Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Abuse. According to government sources, about 10% of the nation's health care bill is spent on fraudulent and abusive care. That amounts to up to $20 billion a year of Medicare's $200 billion lost to these causes nationally. In Wisconsin it translates into annual costs of $300 million in Medicare and $250 million in Medicaid.
CWAG will be joining forces with the Office of the Inspector General and the Health Care Financing Administration's "Operation Restore Trust" to target provider fraud in the growing areas of nursing home, home health care, hospice and durable medical equipment.
What is Medicare and Medicaid Fraud and Abuse? Here are some examples: Inaccurate billings, including using the wrong procedure codes; Billing for more services than actually provided; Billing beneficiaries for covered services; Billing beneficiaries upfront for Medicare assigned claims; Medicaid discrimination; Billing for care provided by professionals who have lost their licenses; and Inadequate Quality of Care.
To Be A Success CWAG Needs YOU!
This two-year major CWAG effort needs hundreds of volunteers statewide, from every county and tribe across Wisconsin to be a success. Beginning early in 1998, CWAG staff will take its exciting, innovative and interactive training program "on the road" to all regions of the state to train volunteer fraud and abuse spotters in: how to recognize fraud and abuse; how to help other older people recognize fraud and abuse; how to conduct publicity about fraud and abuse; and how to file a complaint about fraud and abuse. Volunteers will then work with other older people in their communities and their county aging units to help root out the growing problem of health care fraud and abuse.
Can we count on you to lend a hand? If you would like to learn more about the project and consider attending a training to become a Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Community Elder Volunteer, complete the electronic form below:
Or ... print the form, fill it out by hand and "snail" mail it to CWAG.
Or ... telephone Gail Schwersenska at 1-800-488-2596 and leave your name and address.