News From Around the Web
> More than 100 healthcare professionals in 10 states were victimized by identity theft after someone used their information--including Social Security Numbers--to submit fraudulent tax returns, CSO reported. The scam has affected doctors, nurses, dentists and oral surgeons, and the source of the apparent data breach remains unknown. Article
> Fraud can be hazardous to political ambitions: South Carolina's Democratic party is acting to remove Willie Lee Bethune from the House District 64 primary after his conviction for Medicaid fraud, The Post and Courier reported. Article
> Medicare could save billions if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services cut hospital outpatient department payment rates for ambulatory surgical center-approved procedures to ambulatory surgical center payment rates, according to results of an Office of Inspector General audit. Summary
> The U.S. Department of Justice has reached a $9.25 million settlement with a Tennessee treatment facility over false claims allegations involving mental health services to adult and teen Medicaid patients. Announcement
Health Finance News
> The number of hospitals, hospital systems and physician groups that use bundled payments is slowly increasing, although many providers say they remain on the fence about participating in this relatively new form of healthcare finance. Article
> Specialist physicians practicing at some of New York City's hospitals receive millions of dollars a year in compensation, including hefty bonuses that some suggest are incentives to bring more patients through the doors, the New York Post reported. Article
And Finally... A Pennsylvania man faces federal fraud charges for allegedly selling $5 million worth of fake college degrees online. Article