A Republican Senator out of Iowa, Chuck Grassley, has introduced a new bill to the Senate. This bill, which is entitled the Strengthening Program Integrity and Accountability in Health Care Act of 2011, seeks to amend the Social Security Act in a way that prevents improper billing, either through fraud or abuse, and waste in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These amendments would serve to bolster and expand upon the prevention measures implemented in last year’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
This Proposed legislation, which is part of a larger trend towards eliminating fraud and abuse in the health care arean, highlights the importance of providers maintaining up to date and comprehensive compliance programs. To discuss new and existing compliance requirements and ways to meet these requirements, please contact a Wachler & Associates attorney at 248-544-0888.