NEWS FLASH

Feds Recover Record $4.1 Billion in Fraudulent Medicare Claims | Federal authorities have recovered a record $4.1 billion in health care fraud judgements in 2011, a figure that is roughly 50 percent higher than that of 2009. The tremendous spike in recovered funds has been credited to new policies implemented by the Department of Justice in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services to crack down on Medicare fraud, which costs the nation anywhere from $60 billion to $90 billion a year. Officials believe that by making enrollment requirements stricter and by conducting thorough screenings of all providers — including fingerprint and criminal background checks — have been key in halting Medicare fraud. — Fatima Najiy