The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) was established in 1978 and certified by the federal government as of January 1, 1979. Each year the Unit has to be recertified by the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The Unit is a creation of federal statute and is 75% funded by the federal government as are the MFCUs in other states. As a result, the Unit is required to comply with federal guidelines regarding its activities and expenses. Essentially, we prosecute both Medicaid fraud and the abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults.
The Unit is charged with prosecution of Medicaid fraud in two basic areas. First, we prosecute Medicaid providers who steal from the Medicaid program. Second, we prosecute fraud in the administration of the program. The Unit's involvement in the prosecution of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults has grown and changed over time. Both areas are prosecuted as felonies if serious injury or death occurs based on a law passed in 2002. Our jurisdiction in these cases includes all facilities that receive any Medicaid funds, even if the victim is not a Medicaid recipient, as well as all assisted living facilities regardless of whether they received Medicaid funds. In addition to prosecution of mistreatment of vulnerable adults, our Unit travels throughout the state to provide education regarding the prevention of abuse and neglect as well as training on how to detect, report and investigate such offenses.
Contact:
410-576-6521 or toll-free at 1-888-743-0023
or via email at MedicaidFraud@oag.state.md.us
1-888-373-7888
233733
