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Fraud Eradication Advisory TeamThe VGM Group of companies is dedicated to ensuring that all Medicare beneficiaries receive Home Healthcare, HME, Rehab and O&P services at a professional level and equipment of the highest quality possible. We believe the integrity of our industry must be upheld. At the same time, those operating in an illegal or unethical manner must be rooted out. Our efforts to maintain an ethical society within the Home Healthcare industry has led to the formation of the Fraud Eradication Advisory Team, or FEAT. VGM, in conjunction with a group of industry stakeholders and an advisory council of consultants, is taking a collaborative approach to combating HME fraud and abuse. FEAT will operate as a sounding board for all (including state associations, advocacy groups, manufacturers, providers and beneficiaries) to assist the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in its task of rooting out the criminals that are robbing our government of precious healthcare benefit dollars. To aid in this fight we have created an electronic reporting tool for use in conveying information about suspected fraud or abuse of the Medicare program. Medicare is a federally funded program created for your healthcare benefit. Fraudulent activities not only steal from the government, but from you as a taxpaying citizen. This program is “user friendly” and all submissions remain confidential. If you suspect a supplier, physician, clinician, manufacturer or other entity is committing and act of fraud against Medicare, we ask that you take action and report them now! Medicare Fraud ReportingAccording to Medicare:Fraud is defined as an intentional deception or misrepresentation that the individual makes, knowing it to be false and that it could result in some unauthorized benefit to them. Abuse describes incidents or practices of providers, physicians or suppliers, or services and equipment which, although not usually fraudulent, are inconsistent with accepted sound medical, business or fiscal practices. These practices may, directly or indirectly, result in unnecessary costs to the program, improper payment, or payment for services which fail to meet professionally recognized standards of care, or which are medically unnecessary. Medicare fraud is a federal offense punishable by law, and affects suppliers, current and future Medicare beneficiaries, and taxpaying Americans alike. According to CMS, Medicare pays an estimated $60 Billion annually in fraudulent claims. Those convicted of committing fraudulent acts against the Medicare trust fund are stealing from all of us and robbing us of future benefits as promised in Title XVIII of the Social Security Act of 1965. Fraudulent and abusive activities have created a proverbial ‘black eye’ for the DME industry. Fraud and abuse reporting will be a major component in proving to CMS that we as a supplier community are the solution as opposed to being part of the problem. It is with your help that unscrupulous suppliers committing criminal billing activities are stopped and punished to the full extent of the law. Your participation in rooting out the abuse of a federally mandate benefit is valuable and necessary in order for the Medicare system to remain solvent. If you know of or suspect someone, or some entity is involved in fraudulent and abusive practices towards our Medicare program, please read further. The following program will allow you to easily navigate through the proper reporting process. How to report:To the best of your ability, please provide the following information in its entirety.
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