Health care fraud and abuse prevention

Health care fraud is a crime. Fraud is committed when a provider or patient intentionally submits false or misleading information to a health plan for use in determining the amount of health care benefits payable. As a Kaiser Permanente member, there are steps you can take to prevent health care fraud and to report suspected fraud and abuse.

Examples of health care fraud and abuse

• Filing claims for services or medications not actually performed or obtained
• Billing for non-covered items using codes for covered items
• Billing for excessive or unnecessary medical services or supplies
• Billing for a more costly service than the one that was actually performed
• Altering billings or medical records
• Using unqualified personnel to perform treatments
• Accepting anything in return for referring patients
• Waiving patient co-pays or deductibles
• Using someone else's coverage or insurance card
• Altering amounts charged on claim forms or prescription receipts
• Enrolling someone not eligible (for example, divorced spouse) for coverage on a health plan
• Including false information in an application for the purpose of obtaining coverage

What you can do to prevent fraud and abuse

• Start by knowing your benefits and reading your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements and any paperwork received from Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington or your health care providers.
• Be wary of any "free" medical treatment, as these are usually scams.
• Protect your Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington member ID card as if it were your credit card.

How to report suspected fraud and abuse

If you suspect fraud and abuse, there are several reporting options available to you. All reports are confidential and can be anonymous, if you choose. You are not required to include your name, address, or other identifying information.

To report suspected fraud, contact our confidential, toll-free hotline at:
1-888-774-9100.