Medicare Contractors : Despite Its Efforts, H C F A Cannot Ensure Their Effectiveness or Integrity

Summary: Examines the Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) oversight of its claims administration contractors. Specifically, it discusses whether (1) there are weaknesses in HCFA's contractor oversight activities that may make Medicare more vulnerable to fraud, waste, & abuse, & (2) any changes in HCFA's contracting authority that may improve its ability to manage its contractors. HCFA has indicated that new contract...ing authority could mitigate many of the weaknesses that have been identified. This report also addresses whether any changes in HCFA's contracting authority may improve its ability to manage its contractors. [read more]