 |  |
"The establishment of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Nebraska Attorney General's Office is a major step forward in our efforts to combat Medicaid fraud and patient abuse and neglect. The unit affords us a great opportunity to save valuable tax dollars while protecting vulnerable Nebraskans. However, it is an undertaking that will require vigilance on all of our parts. I encourage anyone who suspects Medicaid fraud and/or patient abuse and neglect to contact our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit immediately at 800-727-6432."
-Jon Bruning, Attorney General
In July 2004, Nebraska became the 49th state in the nation to establish a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) when LB 1084 took effect. The MFCU is designed to uncover, investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud and patient abuse and neglect.
The Nebraska MFCU is headed by Assistant Attorney General Mark Collins and is comprised of an additional assistant attorney general, two auditors, two investigators and two legal assistants. The unit will receive 90 percent of its funding for the first 18 months of operation from a federal grant. Following that, the grant will pay 75 percent of operating costs.
It is expected that Nebraska will join the ranks of 37 existing MFCU's which funded themselves within three to four years of their inception. Nationwide, these units have obtained 5,813 convictions and recovered more than $1 billion from 1997 until 2004.
For additional information on the MFCU or to report possible Medicaid fraud or patient abuse and neglect, call 800.727.6432 or 402.471.3549. Complaints can also be filed through email at medicaid.fraud@ago.ne.gov Forms can be printed off below and mailed to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, TierOne Center, 1221 N St., Suite 500, Lincoln, NE 68508.