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Date:  September 1, 1995
For Release:  Immediately
Contact:  HCFA Press Office (202) 690-6145

HCFA Opens First Health Care Fraud Satellite Office

Miami, Florida -- HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced that the Health Care Financing Administration is opening its first satellite office aimed specifically at combating Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. The office, located in Miami, will support anti-fraud and abuse efforts in South Florida. It is part of an ongoing partnership effort between federal, state and private agencies.

The office was formally opened in a ceremony today at the Claude Pepper Federal Building.

"The goal of the office is to provide better service and protection to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in South Florida. All Americans deserve assurance that every dollar in these programs is being spent for needed care and services," said HCFA Administrator Bruce C. Vladeck.

Staffed by six employees, including bilingual staff, the new office will help provide expanded outreach and additional assistance to the South Florida Law Enforcement Task Force, a partnership of federal and state agencies charged with improving anti-fraud efforts in this region. Outreach efforts will include meetings and briefings to better inform beneficiaries, their families and various organizations about specific fraud and abuse problems. The effort seeks their help in identifying and reporting abuses.

In addition, the office will provide assistance to HCFA s Medicare contractors and the Medicaid State Agency to improve and increase the productivity of their program integrity projects.

"Fraud is a cancer eating at Medicare. It is with this in mind that I applaud HCFA and HHS for the resources they are providing South Florida," responded U.S. Senator Bob Graham of Florida. "This coordinated effort is crucial to our battle to preserve the integrity of the Medicare system and the quality of health care provided to our nation's elderly and disabled."

"Florida shares a commitment with the federal government to prevent, detect and punish fraud and abuse in Medicaid, Medicare and the health care system statewide," Florida Governor Lawton Chiles said. "This new satellite office will provide important tools in our fight to build and maintain integrity in the health care system."

"It is fitting that the first such satellite office of HCFA is based in South Florida," said U.S. Attorney Kendall Coffey. This is one more necessary weapon in the war against health care fraud."

HCFA is also working in concert with HHS Inspector General, Florida State Medicaid agency and the Florida Attorney General's office Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

HHS Inspector General June Gibbs Brown said, "We are delighted to be working as a team in the fight against health provider fraud and abuse. It is essential that we work together to maintain our nation's health care program."

The office staff has extensive experience and knowledge in the Medicare, Medicaid, managed care and program integrity programs, Vladeck said.

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