DIAL investigates reported instances of Medicaid fraud in order to prevent the abuse of taxpayer resources. Criminal investigators, auditors, and attorneys are all a part of the investigations DIAL conducts in order to determine if fraudulent activity has taken place. Cases are referred to DIAL by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Medicaid Provider Fraud
Types of Medicaid fraud by a health care provider:
- Fraud committed against the Medicaid program, as well as fraud in the administration of the Medicaid program
- Abuse or neglect of residents in health care facilities that receive funding from the Medicaid program
Iowans can help recognize instances of provider Medicaid fraud in order to protect the future of Medicaid and the tax dollars of Iowans. The following are instances of potential Medicaid fraud:
- Billing for medical services or products not actually provided
- Billing for a more expensive service or product than was actually provided
- Billing for several services that should be combined into one billing (unbundling)
- Billing twice for the same medical service using two different service dates
- Dispensing less-costly drugs and billing for higher-priced equivalents
- Giving or accepting kickbacks for medical services
- Providing unnecessary services
Public Assistance Fraud
DIAL investigates potential fraud in DHS-administered public assistance programs, directly referred to DIAL by HHS.
Some public assistance fraud investigated by the department:
- Food Assistance/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Family Investment Program (FIP)
- Refugee Cash Assistance
- PROMISE JOBS
- Child Care Assistance
- State Supplementary Assistance
- Health Insurance Payment Premium
- Hawk-i program
Report Fraud
To report Medicaid provider or Public Assistance fraud, please visit the Iowa HHS website.