Oz eyes Florida as first GOP target in Medicaid and Medicare fraud
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz announced Tuesday that Florida is under investigation for sweeping suspected abuse of Medicaid and Medicare.
TL;DR
- CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz announced an investigation into Florida for suspected Medicaid and Medicare abuse.
- Oz cited a national healthcare fraud crackdown and "horrifying" schemes, especially involving durable medical equipment, as reasons for the inquiry.
- Florida is the first red state to be targeted by CMS in its move to crack down on fraudulent activity in federal programs.
- Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, have pledged cooperation with the investigation.
- Other states, including Minnesota, California, Maine, and New York, have also been a focus for Oz or are under investigation by a House subcommittee regarding Medicaid fraud.
- A previous report found that dozens of states collectively gave over $380 million in Medicaid funds to medical providers later convicted of fraud.