According to Dr. Barry Johnson, President of HealthCare Insight, a Verisk Health company and a provider of clinically validated fraud, abuse, and overpayment prevention solutions for private and public-sector payors, up to $485,000 is lost to health care fraud every minute.

“While there are numerous stories out there about health care fraud, most astounding to us are reports of unlicensed physicians/nurses providing care or medication. Health care fraud is a deadly business and even children aren't exempt, as evidenced by the Medicaid fraud ring case in California that cost the state nearly $4.6 million due to unlicensed nurses and doctors treating disabled children,” said Johnson.

“www.Stophealthcarefraud.com is urging consumers to protect themselves and their families; check out our site to ensure your doctor is licensed to practice by visiting our resource section to confirm credentials,” stated Johnson.

Johnson’s Web site offers the following 10 ways to prevent health care fraud:

1. Protect your insurance ID card like you would your credit cards. Don’t give out your policy number to door-to-door representatives, to telephone solicitors, or even over the internet.
2. If you lose your insurance ID card, immediately report it to your insurance company.
   
3. Promptly review your explanation of benefits (EOB) forms after you receive them in the mail. Report questionable activity to your insurance company if you suspect it is fraudulent.
   
4. Stay informed about your medical care. Ask your provider about the procedures and tests that will be performed as part of your treatment.
   
5. Keep detailed records of all received medical statements and bills.
   
6. Beware of “free” offers and mobile medical clinics. If any kind of a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Free services, such as tests or other treatments are often schemes designed to bill you and your insurance for large sums of money for treatments you didn’t actually receive.
   
7. Report instances where a provider continually waives co-payments or deductibles. This is a common indicator that a provider is obtaining inflated payments.
   
8. When selecting a provider, speak with family and friends to get recommendations. Many consumers have long standing relationships with their medical providers and know if they are a trusted source.
   
9. Always get a second opinion if you are referred to a provider who recommends treatment, tests or services that seem unreasonable.
   
10. Purchase health care services with the same care and evaluation you use