CMS To Target California Medical Equipment Fraud

CMS recently announced that California is one of seven states where it will more aggressively combat medical equipment fraud. A July Government Accountability report found that CMS improperly paid $1 billion for medical equipment between April 2006 and March 2007 in part because of supplier fraud. CMS officials plan to more closely review payment claims, perform background checks and make unannounced visits to equipment suppliers.  

• "Agency Fighting Medical Equipment Fraud" (Hines, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 11/8).