The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed a rule that would increase rewards paid to Medicare beneficiaries and others whose tips about suspected fraud lead to the successful recovery of funds to as high as $9.9 million.
"Today’s announcement is a signal to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers, who are on the frontlines of this fight, that they are critical partners in helping protect taxpayer dollars," said HHS secretary Kathleen Sebelius.
HHS says it recovered almost $15 billion in fraud in the past three years, partly as a result of fraud reporting by individuals.
Under the proposed changes, a person who provides specific information leading to the recovery of funds may be eligible to receive a reward of 15 percent of the amount recovered, up to nearly $10 million, a steep increase from the $1,000 limit in the current incentive reward program.