NHCAA Releases 'Fraud Fighters Handbook' Outlining Strategies to Protect the Public Against Health ...( Guide Highlights Health Care Frau...),Health

Guide Highlights Health Care Fraud Investigations & Special Investigation Unit Operations

Resource Builds on NHCAA Mission to Protect and Serve the Public Interest by Increasing Awareness and Improving Effectiveness of Detection, Investigation, Civil and Criminal Prosecution and Prevention of Fraud

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) and its members form a public-private partnership dedicated to fighting and eradicating fraud from the health care system estimated to cost America over $60 billion each year. NHCAA's latest handbook provides health care fraud professionals and other stakeholders critical information and tools to maximize the effectiveness of their efforts to detect, investigate and, when appropriate, prosecute fraudulent activities.

"This handbook is designed to offer Special Investigation Unit (SIUs) managers the tools to develop an efficient and effective investigation unit as well as offering seasoned and novice investigators alike the knowledge and insight that will assist them in conducting successful health care fraud investigations," said Louis Saccoccio, Executive Director, National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association. "This handbook is essential for anyone involved or interested in the mission, authority, goals and other considerations of combating health care fraud."

There is more fraud in health care than there are resources to investigate it. NHCAA conservatively estimates that between 3 percent and 5 percent of the nation's total spending on health care is lost to fraud -- spending that is reaching $2 trillion and may grow by as much as 20 percent in the next 10 years. That means that over $100 million each day is diverted from real patient care to fraudulent activities.

The "Fraud Fighters Handbook" is divided into two key sections: The Investigation Unit and A Health Care Fraud Investigation. Each element contains
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