Bean Safeguards Healthcare Programs from Fraudsters

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) introduced H.R. 9802, the Medical License Verification Act to combat growing Medicare & Medicaid fraud by closing loopholes which have allowed non-physicians to frequently bill health insurance companies to the tune of millions of dollars. This legislation is the House companion to Senator Rick Scott’s (R-Florida) legislation introduced earlier this Congress.

Under current law, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issues National Provider Identifier (NPI) numbers without verifying the licensure information submitted, which allows non-physicians to obtain NPI numbers and opens the possibility that they may fraudulently bill commercial health insurance.

Upon filing, Congressman Bean said, “Millions of Floridians rely on Medicare and Medicaid, but rising fraud and abuse threatens to undermine these programs and drive-up healthcare costs. This bill represents a small and commonsense step to protect our healthcare programs and prevent bad actors from defrauding Florida families.”

BACKGROUND

Specifically, the Medical License Verification Act would require CMS to verify that an applicant’s medical license is valid and in good standing prior to issuing them an NPI number, which is required by healthcare providers to bill for insurance.

This legislation is supported by Americans for Prosperity and the Council of Affordable Health Coverage.

Read the full bill text HERE.

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