Trending News Today: Healthcare Providers Charged with Alleged Medicare, Medicaid Fraud

The federal government has said that both Medicare and Social Security are facing significant financial problems. Under the current law, Medicare’s hospital trust fund is projected to run out by 2028, and the Social Security trust fund is projected to run out by 2034, according to The New York Times. However, it is also projected that money collected from taxes may be able to fund approximately three-fourths of benefits until 2090.

Three-hundred physicians, nurses, physical therapists and home healthcare providers facing charges alleged healthcare fraud. These providers are accused of fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid charges totaling $900 million, according to The New York Times. These healthcare providers allegedly billed Medicare and Medicaid for services and prescriptions that were not needed or not given.

Recently, government officials have urged physicians to stop treating patients with opioids and restrict how many pills can be prescribed. As an alternative, physical therapy and behavior modification can potentially be used for pain management. However, insurance coverage inconsistencies and resistance from patients and physicians are said to be barriers to reducing prescription opioid use, according to The New York Times.