Judge rightfully reins in anti-fraud unit after abusive action
By Chris TomlinsonNovember 26, 2014
Doctors, dentists and other health care providers who care for the state’s most disadvantaged got some much needed relief Tuesday from an over-zealous, politically motivated anti-fraud unit in the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
The 3rd District Texas Court of Appeals ruled that the Office of the Inspector General was unlawfully withholding payments from dentists due to minor errors. The OIG, lacking real evidence of wrongdoing, would withhold the payments to coerce the providers and in some cases drive them out of business for honest mistakes.
The ruling is a big deal for all doctors, dentists and hospitals that care for Medicaid patients. The Texas Medical Association and many other medical and dental societies have been complaining about the OIG for years.
via Time to stop kicking around Medicaid providers – Houston Chronicle.