Skip to Main Content
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how
Ready to renew your Medicaid coverage? Explore our step-by-step guide to Medicaid renewal. Here's how

What Is Fraud, Waste & Abuse?

Healthcare fraud, waste and abuse affects each and every one of us. It costs taxpayers millions of dollars every year and is estimated to account for between 3% and 10% of the annual expenditures for health care in the U.S. 

Here's some more information about each and how you can report it:

Health Care fraud is both a state and federal offense. Based on the HIPAA regulations of 1996, a dishonest provider or member may be subject to fines or imprisonment of not more than 10 years, or both (18 USC, Ch. 63, Sec. 1347).

The following is the official definition of Fraud: 

42 CFR §455.2 Definitions.
"Fraud" means an intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person with the knowledge that the deception could result in some unauthorized benefit to himself or some other person. It includes any act that constitutes fraud under applicable Federal or State law.

Here are some examples of fraud:

  • Using a member ID card that belongs to someone else.
  • Altering a prescription written by a doctor.
  • Making false statements to get medical or pharmacy services.
  • Billing for services that were not provided.
  • Billing for the same service more than once.

The following is the official definition of Waste: 

42 CFR §455.2 Definitions.
"Waste" Involves the taxpayers not receiving reasonable value for money in connection with any government funded activities due to an inappropriate act or omission by player with control over or access to government resources (e.g., executive, judicial or legislative branch employees, grantees or other recipients). Waste goes beyond fraud and abuse and most waste does not involve a violation of law. Waste relates primarily to mismanagement, inappropriate actions and inadequate oversight. 

The following is the official definition of Abuse: 

"Abuse" means provider practices that are inconsistent with sound fiscal, business, or medical practices, and result in an unnecessary cost to the Medicaid program, or in reimbursement for services that are not medically necessary or that fail to meet professionally recognized standards for health care. It also includes recipient practices that result in unnecessary cost to the Medicaid program.

Here are some examples of abuse:

  • Using the Emergency Room for non-emergency health care.
  • Going to more than one doctor to get the same prescription.
  • Threatening or offensive behavior at a provider's office, hospital or pharmacy.

You do not have to give your name to report fraud, waste or abuse.

Report to Meridian

Call our Fraud, Waste and Abuse hotline at 1-866-685-8664. Tell them what you know about the possible fraud, waste or abuse. They will file a report for you.

You can also report in writing to Meridian:

Meridian
Compliance Officer
1333 Burr Ridge Parkway, Suite 100
Burr Ridge, IL 60527

Phone: 1-866-685-8664
Email: Special_Investigations_Unit@CENTENE.COM

Report to the State of Illinois

You can report fraud, waste and abuse directly to the State of Illinois. You can report anonymously if you choose.

Office of the Inspector General 
State of Illinois Healthcare and Family Services Office 
217-785-7030 (phone) 
217-524-6037 (fax) 

Medicaid Fraud Complaint Form

The False Claims Act is aimed at establishing a law enforcement partnership between federal law enforcement officials and private citizens who learn of fraud against the Government. Under the False Claims Act, those who knowingly submit, or cause another person or entity to submit, false claims for payment of government funds are liable for up to three times the government's damages plus civil monetary penalties. The False Claims Act explicitly excludes tax fraud. 

The Act permits a person with knowledge of fraud against the United States Government to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Government against the person or business that committed the fraud. The lawsuit is known as a "qui tam" case, but it is more commonly referred to as a "whistleblower" case. If the lawsuit is successful, the qui tam plaintiff is rewarded with a percentage of the recovery, typically between 15 and 25%. Any person who files a qui tam lawsuit in good faith is protected by law from any threats, harassment, abuse, intimidation or coercion by his or her employer. 

For more information on the False Claims Act, please contact the Meridian Corporate Compliance Officer at 844-667-3560 (TTY 711).