FinanceSpectrum.com Beseeches U.S. Healthcare System Towards Honest Practice
Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 09, 2013 -- FinanceSpectrum.com financial advice online magazine today released their observations about reports that fifty-five different hospitals spread out over 21 different states will be paying Medicare a total of $34 million to make up for false claims that they had filed. FinanceSpectrum.com made a plea to these hospitals, and to other healthcare organizations around the nation, to adopt a more honest and decent practice.
According to a July 2nd article in the Washington Times by Jerry Seper, on Tuesday fifty-five hospitals spread around the country agreed to pay the U.S. government over $34 million, in order to settle charges that they had overcharged Medicare. Seper reported that allegations state that the hospitals submitted false claims for kyphoplasty procedures, the process of which is generally not terribly invasive and can be performed on an outpatient basis. Seper defined kyphoplasty procedures as being used to treat spinal fractures typically spawned from osteoporosis. He stated that these hospitals allegedly billed Medicare for kyphoplasty procedures on an inpatient basis which is far more costly.
FinanceSpectrum.com is disappointed that the healthcare organizations would take advantage of such an under-funded social insurance program. FinanceSpectrum.com is quoted as saying, “As a U.S. citizen who contributes to Medicare just like everybody else in this country, it’s sickening to think that there are businesses that would take advantage of the system—especially on such a grossly huge scale. Medicare is such a noble program. Medicare has some similarities to life insurance with no medical exam required, in that they both are insurance, and as far as we know, most people people qualify for Medicare without getting a medical exam, just by turning 65. True, Medicare does not pay out as much as other health insurances do to doctors’ offices and hospitals. That’s why there are quite a few who don’t accept Medicare. But it’s really wretched to accept it, and then overbill for thousands of procedures. You’re not sticking it to the government, you’re sticking it to all of us—everyday U.S. citizens who fund the Medicare program.”
In the above-mentioned Washington Times article, Acting Assistant Attorney General Stuart F. Delery, the head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, is quoted as saying, “Hospitals that participate in the Medicare program must bill for their services accurately and honestly. The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that Medicare funds are expended appropriately, based on the medical needs of patients rather than the desire of medical providers to maximize profits.”
FinanceSpectrum.com issued a statement beseeching healthcare organizations nationwide to practice mindful, honest, and decent medicine and billing. FinanceSpectrum.com is quoted as saying, “I am very thankful for all of the caring doctors that have somehow helped, saved, or healed myself and others that I love. I know some truly caring, trustworthy, and honest doctors. I would hope that healthcare organizations around the country would bear in mind the weight of their actions, both with practicing medicine and billing for their office visits and procedures, and resolve to do so with honesty, dignity, and integrity.”
About FinanceSpectrum.com:
FinanceSpectrum.com is an online finance column that reports about a broad range of financial topics with the intention of providing guidance, advice, and education to everyday American consumers. FinanceSpectrum.com enjoys being a go-to for information about investing, debt, retirement savings, emergency funds, and credit.
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