Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) fraud occurs when plans knowingly misrepresent a proportion of funds spent on patient care and quality improvement measures as opposed to administrative expenses and profits. In this article, we take a deeper dive into MLR fraud and how it impacts our healthcare system.
What is Medical Loss Ratio?
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires managed care insurance plans spend a minimum proportion of premium revenue on patient care and quality improvement initiatives in order to limit the amount that can be allocated towards administrative expenses and profits. This is to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used for healthcare rather than as extra income for insurance companies. Unfortunately, some plans commit fraud by falsely reporting the amount of money spent on patient care and quality improvement.
Identifying MLR Fraud
MLR fraud can be difficult to identify because it can take so many forms. Here’s a look at some common examples:
- Falsely classifying administrative expenses as claims-related expenses.
- Hiding or misallocating revenue from contracts.
- Making excessive or duplicate payments to providers to increase medical services spending.
- Paying provider claims that should have been denied under Medicare rules.
- Making MLR look higher than it is by reporting false information regarding profits or medical expenses to the government.
Reporting MLR Fraud
Whistleblowers are essential to detecting and reporting MLR fraud. They can help protect and bring justice to the healthcare system by providing information on the complicated, hidden conduct that managed care organizations use to defraud the government. For example, in 2012, the government ordered Florida-based health plan company, WellCare, to pay $137.5 million to resolve four lawsuits alleging violations of the False Claims Act after a former employee secretly recorded WellCare executives discussing ways to double bill for patient services in order to avoid returning money to Medicaid and other programs in various states. As a result, the whistleblower received an award of $20.75 million for helping bring justice to the healthcare system.
Blowing the Whistle on MLR Fraud
Like other types of fraud in managed care insurance, MLR fraud steals money from American taxpayers and the millions you rely on government health programs for care. This is why whistleblowers play such an important role in the fight against fraud.
If you are considering blowing the whistle, experienced healthcare fraud attorneys can help answer your questions and guide you through an otherwise arduous situation and work to earn you the monetary rewards you deserve.
Our goal at DJO is to expose fraud wherever and whenever possible. We work with individuals to gain information, build a case, and fight for taxpayers’ justice. In doing so, we can protect the vulnerable and make the world a safer place.
With decades of combined whistleblower experience and more than 200 cases investigated and filed, our team has been involved directly with recouping hundreds of millions of dollars for US taxpayers. We firmly believe in doing what is right and will work alongside you every step of the way in support, as together, we deliver justice.
If you suspect fraud in your organization, please contact us. DJO is comprised of a highly experienced team of whistleblower experts, lawyers, and even former whistleblowers, who strive to deliver the highest monetary reward for brave individuals who have valuable information that can expose fraud. If a whistleblower’s lawsuit is successful, the reward can be up to 25% of the funds recovered. The False Claims Act also offers whistleblowers protection against job retaliation or wrongful termination.
Do you have valuable information that can help bring fraud to light? Speak to our experts today.
