Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

Fraud is any intentional deception or misrepresentation made by a person with the knowledge that the deception could result in some unauthorized benefit to himself, herself or some other person. It includes any act that constitutes fraud under applicable federal or state law.

Waste involves the taxpayers not receiving reasonable value for money in connection with any government funded activities due to inappropriate act or omission by player with control over, or access to, government resources.

Abuse is any provider practices that are inconsistent with sound fiscal, business, or medical practices, and result either in an unnecessary cost to the federally-funded programs or in reimbursement for services that are not medically necessary or provider practices that fail to meet professionally recognized standards for health care. It also includes recipient practices that result in unnecessary cost to the federally funded programs.

It can even raise the cost of getting health care services. This is why we need help from our members and providers to find fraud, waste, and abuse and stop it as soon as possible. As our member, you play an important role in helping us find fraud, waste, and abuse. If you feel that it might be happening, report it as soon as you can. Here are some examples of possible fraud:

• A health care provider offers you cash or gifts to get free medical care.
• A pharmacy bills you for drugs you did not get, or the pharmacy did not give you the right number of pills ordered by your doctor.
• Someone pretends to be from Highmark and asks for your Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers, money, etc.
• You are billed for health care services or items you did not get.
• Your doctor orders a lot of tests or items that you do not feel you need.
• You find out someone else is using your health insurance card.

We have a team of people who look into all calls or mail regarding possible fraud, waste, and abuse of health care services. You do not have to share your name when making a report. Tell us of suspected fraud, waste, and abuse of services paid for by Highmark.

Report Medicaid or Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse by contacting Highmark through mail, email, or phone. You can also use the secure online form below.

Report by Email

To report Fraud, Waste and Abuse electronically, send us an email message SIU_HHO@highmark.com.

Report by Phone

To report Fraud, Waste and Abuse by phone, call 1-844-325-6256. 

Report by Mail

To report Fraud, Waste and Abuse by mail, please send your report to:

Highmark Health Options or
Highmark Health Options Duals
Delivery Code: FIPR
Attn: FWA/SIU Unit
120 Fifth Avenue
PAP-4 
Pittsburgh, PA 15222

• Anti-Fraud Plan/FWA Compliance Plan
• Fraud & Abuse | CMS
• Provider Self-Audit Information
• HHO DE Self-Audits Overpayments Form
• DE D-SNP Self-Audits Overpayments Form

General Information

Provides monetary penalties that can be imposed upon a health care provider for knowingly and willfully making false statements or representations in connection with filing a claim seeking reimbursement from a federally funded health care program. In this act, the definition of “knowingly” includes actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance and reckless disregard for the truth. Some examples of health care fraud have included: certifications and information, lack of medical necessity, duplicate claims for the same service, submitting claims for an excluded provider, inserting diagnosis codes not obtained from a physician or other authorized individual, etc. There is often some falsification of records to support improper billings.

Potential Penalties

• Fines up to $11,000 per services billed and/or three times the amount originally billed and/or
• Exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded health care programs

False Claims Act Whistleblower Employee Protection

While Highmark Health Options believes it has confidential reporting and investigative processes in place, employees may consider pursuing under the anti-retaliatory provisions or the False Claims Act contained in 31 U.S.C Sec 3730 (h). These provisions protect workers from retaliation or other illegal treatment and provide ways to recover a share of monetary damages if such damages are awarded to the Federal Government if/when a lawsuit is settled.

General Information 

Provides civil and criminal penalties for individuals or entities that knowingly and willfully offer, pay, solicit or receive “remuneration” to induce the referral of business. Examples of “remuneration” include services (such as free testing or supplies) as well as items (such as cash, equipment, software, gifts, and other things of value). No bribes, kickbacks or other inappropriate payments should be offered or given to any person or entity for any reason including, but not limited to, the acquisition or retention of business.

Potential Penalties

• Imprisonment up to 5 years and/or
• Criminal and civil fines up to $25,000 and/or
• Exclusion from the Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded health care programs

General Information 

Provides criminal penalties for individuals or entities that do not adhere to the regulations regarding financial arrangements between referring physicians (or a member of the physician’s immediate family) and entities that provided designated health services payable by Medicare or Medicaid. In contrast to the anti-kickback statute, it does not require any showing of the “wrongdoer’s” intent. Penalties can be applied if an arrangement exists that does not satisfy allowed exceptions.

Potential Penalties

• Civil money penalty of $15,000 per service billed
• Civil money penalty of $100,000 and exclusion for arrangements or schemes to circumvent the statute
• Exclusion from the Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded health care programs and/or
• Refund of amounts collected in violation of the statute