The district attorney of Texas’ Harris County has repeatedly complained to federal Medicare officials about fraud involving private ambulances, only to have her concerns ignored for more than two years, according to a Houston Chronicle report.
DA Pat Lykos says her office has been “beating [their] heads against a wall for two years now” and that Medicare officials are “totally unresponsive,” according to the report.
A recent Houston Chronicle report showed that Harris County leads the nation in the number of private ambulance companies, vehicles and Medicare payments. The report also detailed able-bodied patients being transported by private ambulances. From 2005-2010, at least $488 million in Medicare dollars was paid to non-emergency ambulance providers.
Medicare officials have brushed off suggestions to reform Medicare payment regulations for ambulances — suggestions offered not only by Ms. Lykos but also U.S. Reps. Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) and Gene Green (D-Houston).
After the Houston Chronicle published the report, Medicare spokesperson Brian Cook said “due to pending law enforcement action, we are unable to comment about a policy change at this time,” according to the report.
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