State cracks down on Medicare fraud

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State cracks down on Medicare fraud

Story Published: Nov 5, 2009 at 7:53 AM EST

Story Updated: Nov 5, 2009 at 7:53 AM EST

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina is requiring Medicaid
patients suspected of doctor-hopping for drugs to choose one
pharmacy for all prescriptions.

Officials hope the effort will curb narcotic abuse and save
money. The state's Medicaid agency announced this week it's
expanding the ``pharmacy lock-in'' after a pilot project saved
taxpayers $6,700 per patient in just nine months.

A state Department of Health and Human Services spokesman says a
lack of communication between doctors and pharmacies can allow
patients to either overmedicate or stock up on pills to sell. But
Jeff Stensland says medication can be better tracked by a single
pharmacy.

The 48 adults initially enrolled saved the state more than
$321,500. Savings included fewer filled prescriptions and hospital
visits.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 


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Tuesday, Nov 10 at 10:03 AM Sick & Tired wrote ...

Lets hope Georgia follows SC on this one. There are a lot of people who abuse the system (both medical and welfare) that need to be stopped. While there are some folks who really and honestly need the help there are way more that abuse the system. If monthly drug tests for welfare were mandatory I bet it would cut the welfare down significantly. Make them do community service in order to get the welfare. Only in America can those who do nothing live better than those who actually work!!

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Tuesday, Nov 10 at 9:57 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Now lets see what can be done about welfare fraud and abuse. It's a shame when a retired couple living on nothing but social security is turned away or offered $15.00 a month but a single non working female with 5 kids get enough welfare to last longer than a month (plus she has a live in boyfriend and they lie to the state because if they told them he was living there the money would be cut down by almost half or more). CRACK DOWN ON WELFARE FRAUD !! HELP THOSE WHO REALLY NEED IT!!!

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