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HealthCare Insight (HCI; Salt Lake City), a provider of clinically validated fraud, abuse, and overpayment prevention solutions for private and public-sector payors, reported the launch of StopHealthCareFraud.com to help consumers identify and report healthcare fraud.

According to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA), healthcare fraud accounts for 3% to 10% of total annual U.S. healthcare costs. At almost $250 billion in 2009, the money lost to fraud could potentially insure up to 30 million more Americans, roughly 60% of our country's uninsured population.

HCI said that in 2009, healthcare fraud will cost Americans with healthcare coverage an average of $200 to $800 per person. It said the impact of fraud "also manifests itself in the form of higher premiums, lost health benefits, inaccurate medical records, and increased out-of-pocket health spending."

The company said StopHealthCareFraud.com is dedicated to helping consumers understand, identify, and take action against healthcare fraud to combat fraudulent provider activity and save consumers and payors billions of dollars annually.

"The site is loaded with tips, statistics, and other resources to help consumers become aware and stay informed of emerging trends and fraud schemes," HCI said in a statement.

"We are very excited to launch StopHealth-CareFraud.com," said Darin Johnson, VP of marketing for HealthCare Insight. "Unfortunately, most Americans don't realize the scale, cost, and overall impact of the fraud problem, which underscores the need for a resource like this."

He added, "Healthcare fraud is a serious crime that affects every participant in the healthcare system, including providers, insurers, government programs, and consumers. This site is an essential tool to promote awareness and get consumers to take action and join the fight against fraud."

Features of the site include:

• Blow-the-whistle/report-a-provider form – Resource for consumers to refer a provider or facility for investigation by HCI's clinical experts.

• Fraud Fighting Resource Library.

• Documents – tips, statistics, facts, and answers to frequently asked questions.

• Tools – fraud loss calculator, fraud awareness tests, template letters to send to state and federal representatives.

• Links – links to organizations, associations, and websites that can help consumers in the fight against fraud.

• Blog – Site editors and industry experts provide the latest tips and information on health care fraud

• Join-the-fight form to sign up for member-only information, resources, newsletters, and fraud alerts.

HCI, a Verisk Health company, provides private and public sector healthcare claims payors (including health plans, managed care organizations, insurance carriers, third-party administrators, Medicaid, and Medicare) with a comprehensive suite of fraud and abuse surveillance services designed to maximize claims administration accuracy and minimize payment waste.

Each of HCI's customizable software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions relies on a unique prepayment process that combines proprietary software systems with detailed review by experienced clinicians – doctors, nurses, and dentists – and investigators on all suspect claims and billing patterns.