CMS will share its data analytics tools and best practices for preventing medical claims fraud, waste and abuse with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the agencies announced Jan. 23.
Under the partnership, the VA will leverage CMS' advancements to improve its own fraud detection and prevention efforts. In 2010, for example, CMS established the Center for Program Integrity to help prevent Medicare claims fraud. CMS estimated the program saved Medicare operations $17 billion during fiscal year 2015.
"The VA-HHS alliance represents the latest example of VA's commitment to find partners to assist with identifying new and innovative ways to seek out fraud, waste and abuse and ensure every tax dollar given to VA supports Veterans," said VA Secretary David J. Shulkin, MD.
Earlier this month, the VA began a separate initiative to reduce medical claimsfraud, waste and abuse, issuing a request for information to interested IT contractors Jan. 12. The RFI noted the VA Technology Acquisition Center is seeking an IT tool or system to identify fraud during the adjudication process for medical claims.