The White House has announced that it plans roll out a tough new fraud and abuse control program for Medicare and Medicaid, one it estimates could return $2.7 billion to the government over the next five years.

Right now, the White House plans to spend $1.7 billion over the next 10 years to help detect dollars lost due to fraudulent or improper billing. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said that the program should save $1.55 for every $1 that officials spend.

The new program follows on the efforts of the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program, which has returned more than $11 billion to Medicare and Medicaid trust funds from 1997 to 2007.

To learn more about the new effort:
- read this Modern Healthcare piece [1] (reg. req.)

Related Articles:
Federal law would further fight government healthcare fraud [2]
Miami docs, medical workers charged with Medicare fraud [3]
FL health system settles Medicare fraud charges [4]
South Florida stands out as leader in Medicare fraud [5]