Public Health Insurance
The increase in healthcare cost has placed a burden on Americans. This increase has led
to many health insurance systems being available to the public. You must be careful because not
all the systems are safe. This essay will discuss the legal, ethical, and Christian aspects of the
Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
The False Claims Act (FCA) provides a legal framework for whistleblowers to expose
fraudulent practices and seek legal remedies (CMS, 2021). Creating a false claim, altering claim
information, or even lies can lead to criminal charges or jail time. Anytime you suspect
fraudulent activity notify your supervisor immediately, the sooner you do it the better it is for
everyone.
Medical ethics are your morals and beliefs. They are the way you treat your patients.
Medical assistants are not the only ones who should uphold these standards, but also the provider
and medical biller. Everyone knows what the right thing to do is. If you see someone not doing
the right thing you should report them to the supervisor immediately. The patient's privacy is
always important. Failing to report the incident is like saying you agree with what is being done
(Elberg,2021). As healthcare professionals it is our obligation to act in the best interests of the
patient. Fraud and abuse put a barrier between the staff, patients, and the providers; because no
one is going to trust anything the other says let alone does. Reporting fraud safeguards the
patients and the welfare of professional standards.
From a Christian aspect, think of it as the morals of honesty and righteousness. “Thou
shall not steal” Exodus 20:13 (KJV). We must accept that fraud is a form of stealing that leads to
lying; which is another sin. They both are violations are laws. We must always try our best.
Scams, fraud, and abuse is not the will of God. Proverbs 21:21 (KJV) speaks of righteousness.
Report it because it is the righteous thing to do.
All medical professionals have the responsibility to take actions whether it is from a legal
aspect, ethical aspect, or Christian aspect in reporting Medicare or Medicaid insurance abuse and
fraud. Reporting these things allows for money and resources to be used properly. Everyone
should want healthcare that puts the best interest of the patients first.
References
Bible. (2020). King James Version. KJV online. https://biblegateway.com/versions/King-
James-Version-KJV-Bible/
CMS. (2021). Medicare Fraud & Abuse: Prevent, Detect, Report.
https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network
Elberg, J. (2021). Healthcare fraud means never having to say you are sorry. Washington
Lar Review, 96 volume 2.
