The Investigation Continues
The Senate Finance Committee is investigating alleged scams stemming from `whistle-blower suits` when it was revealed that there were `sweetheart deals` being used by certain medical facilities/companies. These deals included managed-care companies requiring in-network doctors to send their patient`s lab tests to a single lab. Part of the deal was lower than standard costs. The other part? The insurance companies purportedly promising the encouragement of healthcare providers within their networks that also send patients` that are on Medicare and Medicaid to these same testing facilities. The insurance companies then invoiced either the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (the federal agency that administers both programs)or Medicaid agencies on a state level at much higher rates.
The Senate Finance Committee`s agents have issued a letter to all companies/facilities involved, mandating a response by December 1st with cooperation of the following:
- All copies of lab service agreements
- Communications related to arbitration of contracts
- Demonstrations to any boards about contracts
- Exhibitions made to clinical laboratory testing providers
- And any other document that may relate to so-called ``pull through`` deals involving Medicare and Medicaid patients.