Reporting Fraud, Waste and Abuse

Coordinated Care is serious about finding and reporting times that Washington Medicaid funds are used in the wrong way. This is called waste, fraud or abuse.

You trust that your doctor, caregiver or loved one will take care of you. You believe they will always have your best interests in mind. Sometimes, when someone helps take care of you, they can take advantage of you. It is important to recognize the signs of neglect, abuse and fraud. If this happens, it is important to report it. This allows you to be safe and get the care you need.

Neglect occurs when someone fails to provide or withholds the necessities of life from you. This includes food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.

Abuse means causing any physical, sexual or mental injury to you. This can also be taking advantage of your financial resources.

  • Physical abuse. Any inappropriate contact that causes bodily harm. For example, being slapped, scratched, or pushed. Being threatened with a weapon, such as a knife or a gun, is another example.
  • Sexual abuse. Any sexual behavior or intimate physical contact that occurs without your permission. This can be touching your genital area, buttocks or breasts.
  • Mental abuse. When you feel emotional distress resulting from the use of demeaning or threatening words. This can also include signs, gestures and other actions. For example, controlling behavior, embarrassment or social isolation are types of mental abuse.
  • Financial Abuse. When someone uses your money without your consent. This includes improper use of guardianship or power of attorney.

“Fraud” means to knowingly get benefits or payments that you are not entitled to receive. Please let us know if you are aware of someone who is committing fraud. This could be a provider or a member. Some examples of healthcare fraud include:

  • A lie on an application
  • Using someone else’s ID card
  • A provider (doctor) billing for services that were not done
  • Transportation (usage abuse)

If you believe that you are being taken advantage of or hurt by someone, report it. All information will be kept private. Stopping fraud and abuse will help protect you. It will also provide more time and money for your healthcare needs.

There are many ways to report fraud and abuse:

The Fraud, Waste & Abuse Hotline is answered by an independent third party and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

Fraud means that a member, provider, or another person is misusing the Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) program resources including: 

  • Loaning, selling or giving your benefit ID card to someone. 
  • Misusing benefits. 
  • Wrongful billing by a provider. 
  • Any action to defraud the program.

If you see something wrong, please make sure to let us know.

To report waste, abuse, or fraud, gather as much information as possible.

When reporting about a provider (a doctor, dentist, counselor, etc.) include: 

  • Name, address, and phone number of provider
  • Name and address of the facility (hospital, nursing home, home health agency, etc.)
  • Medicaid number of the provider and facility, if you have it
  • Type of provider (doctor, dentist, therapist, pharmacist, etc.)
  • Names and phone numbers of other witnesses who can help in the investigation
  • Dates of events 
  • Summary of what happened

When reporting about someone who gets benefits, include: 

  • The person’s name
  • The person’s date of birth, Social Security Number, or case number if you have it 
  • The city where the person lives 
  • Specific details about the waste, abuse, or fraud