Group: Medicare should nix homecare fraud

WASHINGTON, May 17 (UPI) -- Medicare does not do enough to prevent provider fraud, the American Association for Homecare said Thursday.

In the wake of a series of revelations about fraud taking place among long-term-care providers in the Medicare program, association president Tyler Wilson said stepped-up efforts to crack down on Medicare fraud are necessary.

But Medicare already has a lot of power to prevent fraud and needs to use it to prevent abuse, Wilson said.

"Medicare has failed to impose up-front measures that will curb the opportunity for fly-by-night operators to rip off Medicare," Wilson said. "Existing regulations give Medicare ample authority and tools to address the issue. The American Association for Homecare strongly advocates for ethical participation in Medicare and also for clear, up-to-date, and fair federal regulations that target fraud and abuse but that do not unduly burden those providers who make every effort to follow the rules."

The American Association for Homecare is the main trade group representing the home medical equipment and therapy industry.