Category: Clay’s Weekly Medicaid Roundup

 

HOUSEKEEPING – A few quick items: Here’s a link to my current thoughts on the impact of AHCA, current as of Thursday (after the 2^nd CBO report)- http://bit.ly/2rm9tro

Also, I am joining some of my friends at Matrix Healthcare to do a webinar for RISE next week. All about quality withholds in Medicaid. You can sign up here (If you’re a RISE member it’s free, else it costs)- http://bit.ly/2r9BRgl

 

“People Sleep Peacefully in Their Beds at Night Only Because Rough Men Stand Ready to Do Violence on Their Behalf”- This is our annual time here in RoundUp Land (and in all the U S of A) to remember those who have died to protect our rights as American citizens. Memorial Day (Monday) honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. It is NOT the kickoff party for summer, but they died so that we idiots could have freedom to think even stupid things like that. Please take a moment to remember them grill-side on Monday as you enjoy the blessings made possible by their sacrifice.

 

Service Members Who have Died in MAY 2017 AS OF THE 25^th

 

Senior Chief Petty Officer Kyle Milliken. Died May 5, 2017 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hometown: Falmouth, Maine.

 

Service Members Who Died in APRIL 2017

 

1st Lt. Weston C Lee. Died April 29, 2017 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom. Hometown:

Bluffton, Georgia.

 

Sgt. Joshua P Rodgers. Died April 27, 2017 Serving During Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Hometown: Bloomington, Illinois.

 

Sgt. Cameron H Thomas. Died April 27, 2017 Serving During Operation Freedom’s Sentinel

Hometown: Kettering, Ohio.

 

Staff Sgt. Mark R De Alencar. Died April 8, 2017 Serving During Operation Freedom’s Sentinel

Hometown: Edgewood, Maryland.

 

 

See more heroes @ http://thefallen.militarytimes.com

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FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: Faðirinn sendi soninn til að bjarga heiminum

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers (technically a movie clip this week)- http://bit.ly/2rvupJk

For optimist readers – http://bit.ly/2rvJIC0

 

IS THIS THING ON? As is our custom here in Roundup-Land, after a long hiatus (client work, gardening), I make it up to you by starting off with the Fraud Follies instead of saving them until the end. But this time, there’s a catch. I translated this week’s Farrises Fantastic Fraud Follies into Russian. You have to take an extra step and use Google Translate to get it back to English (or your preferred language). Do you give up now and move on to the next quick blurb in your news feed? Are there secret messages and memos in this week’s roundup? Leaks, even? You will never know unless you head on over to Google Translate and paste this puppy in there now. NOTE: I have also reverse-translated and there are some good transliterations that happened. Some things get lost in translation. Some things get better. I am excited for you about this. Here’s the link to Google Translate: https://translate.google.com/

 

И ТЕПЕРЬ МОШЕННИКИ СЛЕДУЮТ, ТОВАРИЩИ – Ахад Лотфи из округа Ван Бурен, штат Мичиган, был на этой неделе в суде за обвинения в мошенничестве, связанные с заказными вкладышами для обуви, проданными в его клиниках хиропрактики (всего украдено- 200 тыс. Долларов). Цезарь Тавера и Андрес Айала из Черри Хилл, Нью-Джерси признают себя виновными на этой неделе в мошенничестве с Medicaid. Их преступление? Кража $ 1.5M от Medicaid с использованием их ролей в некоммерческих целях местного сообщества. Г-н Тавера хорошо провел время – в одном случае он снял 35 000 долларов с банковского счета некоммерческих организаций, находясь в казино. Огайо получит 447 000 долларов США от CareCore как часть мультигосударственного урегулирования. Кажется, CareCore платит всем, чтобы перестать приставать к ним об обвинениях, которые они планировали, чтобы автоматически одобрить радиологические тесты, которые не были необходимы с медицинской точки зрения (CareCore – это компания, предоставляющая льготы, и они должны выплатить всего 54 млн долларов). Ев-Грей из Чикаго признал себя виновным в краже 7 млн ​​долларов от Medicaid, работая с электронным заявлением о медицинской записи, которое помещало законсервированный язык в медицинские документы, чтобы удостовериться, что Medicaid заплатит (они становятся умнее, люди). Мистер Грей – Вы выигрываете награду на этой неделе! Ваши очки за инновации привлекли вас к вершине.

 

A FEW OTHER QUICK HITS-  Oregon said it may have spent hundreds of millions on members who were not eligible. Info still coming in on this one so probably smart to be patient. The California Medicaid expansion bill comes due this year, and its $1.3B in state funds for 2017. Several incumbent Illinois MCOs did not submit proposals on time for the new awards and won’t be in the race. After a ton of pressure, PA Medicaid will cover HeP C miracle drugs. BCBS and Amerigroup got hitched in NC in prep for the inevitable managed care switch there. Oklahoma is considering pulling plans to bring managed care in. And Ohio is trying to find $600M now that the federalis have said they can’t tax MCOs anymore.

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (I need rain, do you need rain?) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: Apa elküldte a Fiút a világ Megváltójaként

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- http://bit.ly/2owUh57

For optimist readers – http://bit.ly/2ox20jq

 

 

MY KIND OF TOWN- Had a GREAT time at the HEA-RISE MMC Leadership conference this week in Chicago. Looking forward to next year. And to Balto next month with the MMC Congress. Will I see you there?

 

 

THE (EGADS!) CONSERVATIVE FEATURES IN EMERGING MEDICAID TRENDS (DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY HOLY WATER?) I have been around this Medicaid game long enough to know the war over Medicaid spending is a war of attrition and anything that even smells slightly conservative loses in the end because of lack of sustained interest on the conservatives’ part and vehement “resistance” on the liberals’ part. That being said, there are many signs if you care to read the bones: Every week a new state announces waiver plans with job requirements. Wisconsin was the latest- and it added drug testing and premiums. Maine announced similar plans (they linked food stamps to work already). Arizona is considering a 5-year lifetime enrollment max for the “able-bodied” (super slippery word all around) as well as work requirements.

 

 

OREGON MAY BE THROWING IN THE TOWEL ON EXPANSION- Dems – I repeat Dems – in OR are proposing Medicaid be un-expanded. Why? you ask? Because the state is short $1.6B.

 

BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, NC MAY BE GETTING CLOSER TO EXPANDING- Republicans – I repeat Republicans – introed HB 662 this week to start the process of funding expansion using federal dollars. GOP leadership in both the NC House and Senate remain opposed, but hey – these Repub Resisters deserve some props, right?

 

CMS WILL “REVIEW” MONTANA’S EXPANSION- This situation is sort of like when you see the cops at the precinct get a visit from Internal Audit. CMS approved MT’s expansion in 2015 and had high hopes for adding 70k under the spreading wings of Mother CMS. What is the crime that brought in Internal Audit? MT charges 2% for premiums to bennies above 50% FPL. And copays. So, CMS is sending in sleuths to “evaluate” the program (take a gander at how many other waivers ever get evaluated, vs just renewing the “demos” for decades on autopilot). The real goal is to get a ton of negative public comment to pile on to the program and insist a mandate for change has been discovered. Keep in mind the same thing happened to IN last year (a post-CMS approval PR campaign ala a surprise round of public comment-y evaluation against the “conservative” model once they saw other states following IN’s lead).

 

MISSOURI SAYS NO TO EXPANSION- While some had high hopes for the Show Me State this year, and a proposal was introduced, sources say no dice.

 

SO DOES NEBRASKA- The committee that reviewed the expansion proposal in the NE legislature politely declined this week. Would have added about 90k to the rolls.

 

CLAY GETS TIRED OF WRITING EXPANSION HEADLINES- Aren’t you tired of reading them? How about a video about Atlantic Mole Crabs instead http://bit.ly/2oxf9sL ?

 

LOW CAP RATES MAY SCARE OFF MCOS? Says the headline. What are they gonna do – go back to the exchanges? Ha! (imagine that Ha! being said by A.L.F.)

 

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– And now for everybody’s favorite paragraph… but not enough space this week, Dear Readers. Had to catch you up on a ton of news. I put lots of Follies in the twitter feed for you this morning, though. My favorite is the former NY state legislator who was charged with running a Medicaid pill mill scam. Check them out and tell me your favorite.

 

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (don’t forget mulch for your baby plants!) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: Leej Txiv tau xa Leej Tub kom txuag lub ntiaj teb no

 

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- http://bit.ly/2mUWHyw

For optimist readers –  http://bit.ly/2nk2ZDg

 

ONLY A FEW MORE DAYS UNTIL MEDICAID STAR SEARCH– A plug for our upcoming Medicaid Star Search Webinar on April 3^rd. Sign up here- http://bit.ly/2ccl593

 

STATE SPOTLIGHT SHOW NEXT WEEK CHANGED TO “OFFICE HOURS WITH CLAY”– State Medicaid Directors are all locked in cages in basements of legislatures this time of year. Something about “budgets.” So for those of you who want to show up for the Friday 4/7 show we will keep it and I will field whatever questions you want to throw at me re: Medicaid.

 

BROWNBACK SAYS NO DICE– Kansas reps got the votes together to expand, but the Good Guvn’r said not on his watch. He said the proposal would not help the “truly vulnerable” but instead would surge state spend on the “able bodied.”

 

SHOW-ME-STATE SHOWED THEM- Reps in MO soundly rejected efforts at Medicaid expansion this week, with the house voting 102-41 against. Seems the Russians paid fake news bots to force representatives to vote against their will on this one.

 

VA IS FOR LOVERS (AND LOST CAUSES)- The Good Guvn’r McAuliffe thinks the failure of RyanCare was his cue to restart expansion efforts. His GOP colleagues in the legislature politely reminded him they rejected expansion in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and once already in 2017. Seems they don’t intend to stop their streak.

 

ALL JOKING ASIDE– Conventional wisdom is that more states will expand now that RyanCare failed bigly. KS and NC are expected to be next (Brownback may have some unilateral options left?). And GA, ID, NE and SD have been on the fence for years. Here’s a fun twist- 1132 waivers. They just got turned on January of this year, and could be a legislative-free path to changing ACA so much you don’t recognize it. Remember you heard it here first. 1132 waiver. Google it.

 

IOWA TAKING STEPS TO MAKE MCOS WHOLE- MCOS have claimed a combined loss of about $450M, and details about the state’s plan to stop the bleeding emerged this week. Looks like the state will chip in $10M more and the federalis $225M more to help MCOs cover losses since the state moved to manage care 1 year ago.

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– And now for everybody’s favorite paragraph. Let’s start the ticker and see who wins this week’s award.  Christina and Donald Halter of St Francois County, MO were convicted this week for stealing $209k in disability payments from a developmentally disabled vet in their care. Oh yeah – they also submitted 1,000 false Medicaid claims for nursing services not provided to other residents of their facility. Isnino Mohamud, Mowllid Nur and Ayan Barsug of Minnesota were charged this week for conspiring to defraud Medicaid out of $1M. Their crime? 2 of the guys would submit false bills for transportation of patients to the other guy’s place, where he would then provide counseling services. Problem was they were billing for individual sessions, but it was really happening as group therapy. Apparently Mohamud and Nur also recruited patients who spoke little English and had Medicaid cards. “Dr” Roberto Fernandez of Miami got popped this week for taking kickbacks from local pharmacies and home health agencies as part of a Medicaid (and Medicare) controlled substance fraud scheme. Taxpayer tab on this one so far – $20M. Messiuers Mohamud, et al- you win the day (but only b/c Bob-O Fernandez’s heist spanned Care and Caid. You had a clear Caid-only assault).

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (You still have time to move bulbs.) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: pita ne duniya ko bachaane ke lie putr bheja

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- http://bit.ly/2mQHYRL

Or you can click the one for optimist readers –  http://bit.ly/2mQQ9xn

Both are St. Patrick’s Day references. If you know why, do write in.

 

ONLY A FEW MORE WEEKS UNTIL MEDICAID STAR SEARCH– A plug for our upcoming Medicaid Star Search Webinar on April 3^rd. Sign up here- http://bit.ly/2ccl593

 

MAYO HONCHO JUST COMES OUT AND SAYS IT- Mayo Clinic’s CEO said privately insured patients will go in front of Medicaid patients, assuming comparable conditions. Both will be seen, but the one who generates more revenue will get seen first. The CEO was heard saying something about needing to keep making money to keep the lights on, and to help subsidize free care – but he was carried off by the villagers with pitchforks before reporters could understand him.

 

ANTHEM DISTINGUISHING ITSELF FROM REST OF PACK IN POLITICAL ARENA- Last week Anthem was the lone wolf supporting AHCA (AHIP and others came out against it). Now we have news of Anthem CEO Swedish meeting privately with President Trump and Price. The meeting (we expect Rachel Maddow to leak the transcripts next week) covered detailed design elements of the bill, and ideas Anthem has on how to improve it.

 

THE MEDICA STORY SEEMED TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE– Although at first it looked like an amicable exit,  it turns out the departing MN MCO ain’t going down without a fight. It gets a little convoluted, but basically Medica is arguing that the state did not have a right to transfer its membership to other MCOs without a rebid of the contracts. Seems Medica wanted to pull out saying the rates were not actuarially sound, and then perhaps trigger a rebid which would re-open rate negotiation. The state was more than happy to skip that route and just dole out the remaining membership to the remaining MCOs using rates that were established in 2015. These protests are getting harder to follow  than all the crazy drama of the English wars for the throne in the Middle Ages.

 

HHS HEAD PRICE SAYS LOSING $BILLIONS WON’T HURT MEDICAID- There’s a lot to chew on in that idea. Not the least of which is the loss to fraud each year, paying for poor quality and other obvious areas to trim. I think this quote from Price should be the starting point of this discussion: “You’re falling into the same old trap of individuals who are measuring the success of Medicaid by how much money we put into it.” Ouch. And Amen.

 

 

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– And now for everybody’s favorite paragraph. Let’s start the ticker and see who wins this week’s award.  Ethel Freeman-Nnonah and Tinisee Harris of Reynoldsburg, OH were convicted this week of stealing $101,000 by forging medical assessments and plans of care for patients treated by their business (Prudent Healthcare Services, LLC). “Dr.” Stanley Marable of Valdosta, GA will spend 2 years in prison for his role in pilfering $789k by getting paid for tooth extractions that didn’t happen. Tammie Sensenig of Lancaster, PA plead guilty this week to stealing $84k using Medicaid claims for mental health services she provided but was not qualified to render. “Dr.” Romeo Pavlic of Spokane, WA will pay $300k to settle claims he defrauded Medicare and Medicaid by billing for tests he did not perform on developmentally disabled patients. Stanley – You win!

 

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (The weekend will be warmer.) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: האב שלח את בנו כדי להציל את העולם

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- http://bit.ly/2nmj3V9

Or you can click the one for optimist readers –  http://bit.ly/2nmC8GK

It’s 4am. I have had 2 cups of coffee already. Let’ see what happens.

BEFORE I DO ANYTHING ELSE – A plug for our upcoming Medicaid Star Search Webinar on April 3^rd. This is your chance to hear from 3 companies trying to be innovative in the Medicaid space- without having to sit through a cheesy sales pitch (they each get 10 minutes).  Sign up here- http://bit.ly/2ccl593

 

I GUESS I’LL TALK ABOUT ALL THIS REPEAL AND REPLACE STUFF. IF YOU WANT ME TO- The best summary I can give is that the bill introduced this week has zero chance because both sides hate it. Multiple conservatives in the Senate have spoken against it, saying its ObamaCare-lite and a failure to deliver on a critical promise to the base to repeal ACA. Lefties have cranked up the fever-pitch-crazy machine, spouting non-stop EVERYONE WILL DIE headlines. The real question is will Ryan be able to throw up his arms and say “well, I tried,” or will Paul, Cruz and others hold him to the fire to put out a bill that repeals ACA even if it has to be Pelosied (ramming it through throats with just enough votes). Another interesting little twist was the CMS CMO coming out against RyanCare. Maybe he and Sally Yates can start a consulting company once he gets bagged in the next month or so? One last note – Verma made it through the Senate yesterday, one step closer to the CMS head job. Everyone I have talked to in our world says she is awesome. I will believe them over fake newsers any day. Unless of course it comes out that she is a Russian CIA spy using my toaster to read my mind (Wikileaks Vault 7 reference for those who don’t read outside of CNN).

 

AMERIHEALTH AND MERCY HOSPITAL ON THE ROCKS IN HAWKEYE STATE- So far the 2 can’t reach agreements on payment rates. This is part of how the savings happens, people. You pay MCOs to negotiate with behemoth providers for you. There is a similar story happening in MN with BCBS and Children’s hospital.

 

LAND OF LINCOLN GETS EXPANSION BILL. SURPRISE! IT’S DOUBLE WHAT WAS PROJEKTED. Sadly no one is surprised anymore. There are now 4 things certain in life (updated since I was a child): Death, taxes, MMIS projects failing and Medicaid expansion costs being double what was promised during the sales/shaming into approving phase. IL Medicaid has now spent about $9.2B on expansion, compared to the original projections of $4.6B.

 

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– And now for everybody’s favorite paragraph. Let’s start the ticker and see who wins this week’s award.  4 numbskulls in Anchorage, AK got popped this week for stealing $1M in Medicaid moo-la. Their crime? Falsifying records to up payments to their nursing home business. Enny Portillo of Highland Mills, NY plead guilty this week to nabbing $75k for personal care services that were not performed. Mrs. Portillo took advantage of NY’s Consumer Directed option to pilfer the cash. Corey Werito and Rosita Toledo (both awesome, and rhyming names!) of Farmington, AZ plead guilty of stealing $2M from Medicaid using their transportation company. Kester Atumonyogo (what is it with the awesome names this week?) of Valley Stream, NY stole $1.5M from Medicaid by using false claims to get paid for enteral nutrition supplies. Mr. Automonyogo- you win, even beating out the team effort by the group in AK! This week’s Roundup Fraud total – $4.6M from taxpaying citizens. And remember – that’s just what I found in the news quickly. At 4AM.

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (I have 100+ pepper plants already.) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: hoouna mai ka Makua i ke Keiki e hoola i ko ke ao

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- http://bit.ly/2lRoz5n

Or you can click the one for optimist readers –  http://bit.ly/2lRbJno

 

THE WHEAT STATE TILTS AT WINDMILLS- Either KS and ME know something we don’t, or these 2 states are about to get approval for Medicaid expansion in the era of Trump. ME got it on the ballot and KS reps just passed it in their house. Or maybe lefty reps in both states are play-acting to look good for their base since Dems in generally are licking wounds right now? You decide. News and Weather at 10.

 

HEART OF DIXIE WANTS CAID FOR CONS- Err, sorry I meant to say “justice-involved.” Please don’t take away my snowflake card. Senator Cam Ward wants Alabama to get some help from the federalis to cover inmate costs. If his bill goes through, the feds (that translates to “taxpayers in other states”) will pay 70% of the costs of healthcare for Bama’s bad guys.

 

CONTINUED CHAOS IN UNHINGED WHITE HOUSE WITH DARK VISION OF AMERICA. DOOM! DOOM! DOOM! RUSSIANS! RESIST! Actually, yet another logical, calculated appointment was made to President Trump’s team this week. Brian Blase just joined the staff. Blase is a PhD economist who spent time as a Senate staffer and has been very open about his criticism of current Medicaid financing shenanigans. Couple this with the appointment of Price to DHS and Veerma to CMS- Mr. Trump is not joking about transforming Caid. The Resistance will have to do better than misbehaving at town halls and worshipping Michael Moore if they want to effectively shape what’s coming.

 

BEAVER STATE SEES DROP IN ENROLLMENT– There’s been about an 11% drop in Oregon Caid enrollment comparing Jan 17 to Mar 16. This translates into 133,000 less managed care members, which = 133k x 12 x the average cap rate less money for the MCOs (CCOs) in Oregon (I do fancy Medicaid math, you should sign a consulting agreement and pay me to do fancy Medicaid math for you. I also put most of my internal thought processes in parentheses [rarely in brackets] {and never in whatever these things are}). That’s a lot less cash the MCOs (CCOs) have to operate and will probably lead to some sort of horse-trading required come rate-setting time.

 

MOLINA POSTS NY CAID LOSS; RECENT SIGNALS OF EXITING EXCHANGES- Revenues for Molina in NY dropped $185M YOY, resulting in an overall $192M Q4 loss. The main culprit? Having to pay $322M into a risk adjustment pool that then got redistributed to other MCOs who showed higher risk memberships. Molina has also recently begun socializing the idea of it pulling an Aetna and exiting the exchanges.

 

XEROX (OLD ACS) ASKS JUDGE TO LIMIT THE PAIN IN THE LONESTAR STATE- The flailing MMIS giant has alleged that the state is using “a web of lawsuits” to jack up potential settlements related to that whole debacle over prior auth for orthodontics services for TX Medicaid bennies. Xerox wants to be able to designate the dentists involved as responsible 3^rd parties. TX wants to be able to sue Xerox AND the dentists separately. The suit currently rings up at about $1B in potential payouts.

 

 

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– None this week dear readers. I hear you collectively, depressively sighing. But remember- I gave you an entire Roundup of Fraud Follies like 2 weeks ago. Remember that. Hold it close.

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (its spring. You know its spring.) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: Uba ya aiko Ɗan ya ceci duniya

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- http://bit.ly/2lygShv

Or you can click the Special Valentine’s Day treat for optimist readers –  http://bit.ly/2lyalTX

 

It’s been a while my dearest readers. As is our custom when returning from hiatus, let’s begin with the normal ending segment…

 

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– And now for everybody’s favorite paragraph. Let’s start the ticker and see who wins this week’s award.  Maria Navarro and Judith Bench of Orlando are charged with using their special needs school to bill 21,000 bogus Medicaid therapy claims. They billed for 8 hours a day but only had staff to provide 2. Taxpayer tab – $4.5M. Pedro Garcia of Mission, TX was charged this week with submitting Medicaid claims for dead people – to the tune of $300k. John Holland of Miami was CEO of Portneuf Medical Center when he (allegedly) took bribes that facilitated $12M of Medicaid fraud. He plead not guilty this week. Michael Johnston of Broadheadsville, PA got sentenced for pilfering $100k from Medicaid using bogus mental health services claims. Mr. Johnston took the cash and used it cover trips to Jamaica. Stephen Monaco (awesome name), a podiatrist from Haverton, PA was sentenced this week for stealing $4.9M from Medicaid, Medicare and other payers. Dr. Monaco would barter opioids with patients in exchange for them letting him shoot painful (but unnecessary) injections into their feet. Eduard Zavalunov of NYC became the 9^th fraudster to plead guilty in a multi-clinic racket that bribed Medicare and Medicaid bennies (with cash) to undergo unnecessary tests. Taxpayer tab – $70M. Shalonda Suggs of Oklahoma City pled guilty this week to a $200k mental health services not provided scheme. Julia Faigel of Boston, MA was ordered to pay $475k for Medicaid dental fraud. She had TWENTY ONE corporations she used to rob the taxpayers. Robert Windsor of Cumming, GA pled guilty this week of bilking GA Medicaid, KY Medicaid, Tricare and FEHBP (the healthcare federal employees get) for more than $20M. His gig? Medically unnecessary balance tests, electromyography (whatever the heck that is) and qualitative drug screens. IPC – a hospital staffing firm that provides doc labor, also goes by Team Health if you are googling for it- will cough up $60M for defrauding Medicaid and Medicare via upcoding. Dr. Oughatiyan was the whistleblower and he will get $11.4M. Bernard Greenspan of Newark, NJ got $200k in bribes for his role in a $200M fraud scheme. He’s pleading innocent (he’s also 80 years old), but 2 dozen other docs have pled out on this scheme which involved Biodiagnostic Lab Services bribing docs for referalls to Medicare and Medicaid. And now, drum roll (we have a lot of contestants this week!)… Mr. Windsor you win this week’s award for your tenacity and not settling for ripping off just one Medicaid program. Indeed – stealing from both GA and KY sets you apart. I hope you stashed some cigarette money someplace, so you can barter in the slammer.

 

Sadly, I was able to fill an entire Roundup with fraud follies (with a total of about $384M stolen by my rough count). I could do this each and every week (but that would be boring). And I left out several big ones this week, too. Nothing to see here, move along. Regardless of whether we repeal, replace or repair there will always be this wonderful gravy train for fraudsters. As I pay my taxes in the next month or so, I know that makes me feel good. How about you?

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (I swear we never have winter anymore here in AL. Must be global warming, or maybe the Russians?) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: Papa a voye Pitit la pou konsève pou mond lan

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- http://bit.ly/2irmSci

Or you can click the one for optimist readers –  http://bit.ly/2irnjDt

 

WAIT A MINUTE- WHO’S SURPRISED AT THE CURRENT ACA REPEAL EFFORTS? It’s been hated by millions since day 1 (and loved by millions, especially on the left), the GOP has introduced 60+ repeal bills over the last 7 years – and now everyone is floored that one of the first things the Right does once it regains control is renew repeal efforts? The Senate took step 1 of a 10-step procedure to repeal ACA early Thursday morning. Here’s the best guide I have seen so far – http://read.bi/2ipCPji

 

THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY STATE PUTS APPLICATION BACKLOG TO REST- AR brought in about 250 temp workers, but they got it done. Back in June there were 100,000 “pieces of paperwork” overdue, including 34,000 or so apps that were 45 days old. At year end (just a few weeks ago – weird), there were no overdue apps. Hey AR – can you send those temp workers over to KS?

 

SOONER STATE MCD NEEDS ANOTHER $200M TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON- My crystal ball says they will get it. Just look at last year- when the overall OK budget was $1.3B short, OK Mcd got $1B (which was an increase over the previous year). You silly lawmakers need to just submit to the Mcd dominance of your budgets and move on.

 

MAGNOLIA STATE NEEDS ANOTHER $75M NEXT YEAR- Backers of the bump point to cuts in prior years, as well as a recent $58M cut in September that addressed lower-than-expected state revenues. It is interesting that the request for more money is happening when MS enrollment is decreasing.

 

KUDOS TO HPP ON THE KEYSTONE WIN- Health Plan Partners was awarded new membership  in PA this week. The award will expand the HPP PA footprint into 13 more counties, home to nearly 500,000 Mcd members. Congrats HPP!

 

THE COPPER STATE ANTI-EXPANSION LAWSUIT MOVES FORWARD- Its only been four years of spending money on the 300,000 new bennies, but the AZ Court of Appeals has scheduled the hearing challenging whether the way the Good Guvn’r Brewer unilaterally expanded was legal in the first place.

 

 

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– And now for everybody’s favorite paragraph. Let’s start the ticker and see who wins this week’s award.  Family Care Nursing (such a wholesome name!) of Meriden, CT settled this week for $5.3M related to billing for 60 day assessments knowing it was not an RN doing the work. Aretha Derrico was arrested for billing Mcd for $57,000 of home health services not provided in Havana, FL. Randy Crowell of Henderson, NV plead guilty to a $100M Rx reverse-diversion scheme last week. Mr. Henderson had an impressive range – from Utah to NY. How did he do it? He was a licensed wholesale rx distributor, of course. Still wondering what “reverse-diversion” means (I made that up, I think)? Instead of the pills going from legit sources to the black market, Mr. Henderson acquired pills in the black market and sold them to pharmacies. Sort of like money laundering, but with oxycontin. Although the specific hit to Mcd is not enumerated, I am more than impressed with this one. There are wonderful details like the use of lighter fluid to remove labels from bottles. Mr. Henderson – you win this week’s award! I would be interested in acquiring the movie rights to your story, when you get out of the slammer.

 

 

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (or stay inside and order your pepper seeds. They will need 30 days to germinate, and then that’s March and you want them strong when you put them out in May, right?) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

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FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: Pitā sēva dha varlḍa dīkarānī

Soundtrack for today’s RoundUp pessimist readers- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jK-NcRmVcw

Or you can click the one for optimist readers –  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYrUW68kggg

BONUS Optimist Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btPJPFnesV4

 

SOMEBODY TELL THE GOOD GUVN’R HE’S WEARING LAST YEAR’S FASHIONS: Perhaps the protracted battle with the outgoing Guvn’r has left NC Good Guvn’r Roy Cooper a little confused. He is talking about expanding Mcd in the Tarheel State, seemingly unaware that expansion is yesterday’s news. He promised to submit a state plan amendment by this Friday to expand under ACA rules, which have to be approved by CMS. This is either a PR stunt only, or the new Guvn’r is more clueless than the average bear.

 

NOW THERE’S AN IDEA: AK ASKS TO KEEP ACA CASH FLOWING BUT WANTS MORE CONTROL ON LIMITING ELIGIBILITY THAN ALLOWED BY MASTERS IN THE DISRICT (CAN I USE 2 COLONS IN A HEADLINE?): The Good Guvn’r Hutchinson has been in talks with the new cabinet members about letting AR tighten eligibility requirements for its expansion bennies. He may end up getting what he’s been begging CMS for for years after all. Amazing the difference a new king (er, President) makes.

 

AND SO IT BEGINS- One half of the country seems to be moving into the next phase of grief. The denial phase was like watching a train wreck- fascinating (Stein’s stratagem and the attempts at electoral mutiny), terrifying (Fake News pots calling kettles black) and pitiable (b-b-but the Russians did it!) all at the same time. We are now witnessing the negotiation and acceptance phases best I can tell. I now see Op Eds discussing how block grants may not be that bad (as long as its tied to healthcare inflation) and detailed analysis of the expected GOP battle plans to repeal the sacred cow of ACA (as opposed to the previous stance of “but they can’t do that).

 

KS ELIGIBILITY APPS: STILL LATE- 2 years and counting for the backlog. State officials did get it down to 1,400 or so in September (from a high of 15,000), but its climbing again. The latest number is 2,247 apps at least 45 days old.

 

MCO TIDBITS: Item 1) WellCare completed its acquisition of Care1st of AZ this week, adding 115,000 lives to the ledger. Item 2) Iowa newspapers are now reporting they have obtained secret documents showing MCOs calling the Iowa program “drastically underfunded” and a “catastrophic experience.” Sensing that these documents reveal a disconnect between what is being said publicly and privately, Mr. Pin Ochio has stepped in with new evidence that Oceania hacked the Iowa Medicaid agency. He insists we ignore the contents of the documents and focus on the manner of their discovery.

 

FARRIS’S FANTASTIC FRAUD FOLLIES– And now for everybody’s favorite paragraph. Let’s start the ticker and see who wins this week’s award. There’s actually just one this week: Abe Freund, operator of Acacia Mental Health Clinic, LLC in Milwaulkee has been charged by the feds with stealing as much as $7M from Medicaid. Acacia was billing $474 for drug tests that should have been paid at $20. At the end of the feeding frenzy, 99% of all Wisconsin substance abuse counseling payments were going to Acacia. Acacia payments surged from $300k to $3M over a few years. Lesson learned (?)- when you see 99% of your SA payments going to one provider that’s grown tenfold in a few years, maybe you should have something in place to stop paying that provider number before it gets to that point?

  

That’s it for this week. As always, please send me a note with your thoughts to clay@mostlymedicaid.com or give me a buzz at 919.727.9231. Get outside (enjoy the snow! One Yankees nuisance is a Southerners magical experience) and keep running the race (you know who you are).

****

FULL, FREE newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ep81Y . News that didn’t make it and sources for those that did: twitter @mostlymedicaid . Trystero: o Patéras ésteile ton Yió gia na sósei ton kósmo