Dental And Eye Care Fraud Costs The Tax Payers Millions
Thousands of people in Northern Ireland are cheating the health benefit system costing taxpayers millions of pounds, it has been revealed.
Investigations carried out by the Health and Social Care Sector’s Counter Fraud and Probity Service found that thousands of people are cheating the system and it is estimated that fraudulent claims cost taxpayers £2.8 million last year. Last year the special unit issued 2,072 fixed penalty notices, but only managed to claw back £30,098 in fraudulent claims.
The new figure represents a significant increase in the cost of fraud since 2010/2011, when the cost was estimated at £2.2 million.
A report released by the unit claims that more needs to be done to claim the money back and called for more resources for the Counter Fraud and Probity Service. The report said that given the huge numbers involved with dental and eye care claims alone, more resources should be provided to combat health fraud. Suggestions include developing a fraud referral and prosecution database.
Patient exemption fraud arises when a patient fraudulently claims exemption from health costs. Although random checks and targeted investigations are carried out on a regular basis, many people are still slipping through the net and this is costing taxpayers a great deal of money.
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