More than $3 million of fraudulent Medicaid billings were recovered after an 18-month investigation revealed that eight Colorado anesthesia providers were allegedly charging patients incorrectly.
A total of $3,020,953 was recovered by the Colorado Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, according to a news release from the AG’s office Tuesday.
The investigation found that the epidural anesthesia providers allegedly violated state law and Medicaid rules when they either double billed for the same service or billed for services that were not documented.
“Returning millions of dollars to Colorado taxpayers is vital to ensure that our Medicaid system works properly and effectively,” AG Cynthia Coffman said in a statement. “I appreciate the diligent work of our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to achieve this positive outcome.”
Eight anesthesia providers have paid back funds to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, according to the attorney general’s office. The providers named in the investigation are Banner Greeley Anesthesia, Catholic Health Initiatives, Longmont Anesthesia, Kaiser Health Plan Colorado, Eastern Plains (Colorado) Anesthesia, Colorado Anesthesia Group, Alta Anesthesia PC and Glenwood Springs Anesthesiology.
Banner Greeley Anesthesia paid back the largest sum of $2,138,530.
Anyone who thinks they are a victim of Medicaid fraud should file a report with the attorney general’s office. They can do so by calling 800-222-4444 or filling out a form available on the office’s website.
