HHS-OIG Adds MCFUs Section to Website

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) has revealed a new section to its website dedicated to the state Medicaid Fraud Control Units (“MCFUs”). MCFUs are intended “to investigate and prosecute fraud by Medicaid providers as well as patient abuse and neglect.” While MCFUs are administered by the states, the majority of their funding comes from the federal government.

The new site explains:

The MFCUs’ authority to investigate patient abuse and neglect extends to Medicaid-funded facilities as well as to “board and care” facilities that do not receive Medicaid funding. MFCUs may, in certain circumstances, also investigate program fraud involving Medicare or other Federal programs, upon the approval of the Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS/OIG) or another relevant agency Inspector General.

The site includes a growing archive of state enforcement actions, policy transmittals, and other helpful links.

For assistance understanding MCFUs or other issues related to health care fraud, visit the HLP’s Stark, Anti-kickback and Fraud & Abuse Page, or contact Adrienne Dresevic, Esq. or Carey F. Kalmowitz, Esq., at (248) 996-8510.