Pfizer settlement funds whistleblower program

A Florida whistleblower program has received $1 million from the state's allocation of the recent $2.3 billion federal Pfizer settlement regarding illegal marketing allegations. State Sen. Don Gaetz says the money for informants will help "prime the pump" on the new Medicaid fraud program, according to a local press report.

The program targets not just Medicaid provider prescription and billing, but also such incidents as drug felons working near hospital drug supplies. It also creates a list providers sanctioned or terminated from the program.

Medicaid has some three million enrollees in Florida. State auditors estimate that five to 20 percent of last year's $16 million was lost to overbilling, false claims and other fraudulent practices.

- here's the article

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