Healthcare is a hot topic in more than one news arena. Recently, Shapiro Shoes of Camden, NJ was accused of misclassifying hundreds of Nike sneakers as orthopedic footwear in order to collect reimbursements from Medicaid. According to New Jersey?s Medicaid fraud division, the store billed Medicaid for Nike basketball shoes and Timberland boots, among other footwear.
The state says that Nike told investigators that their company does not manufacture a high-top corrective basketball sneaker. State investigators also say that the store does not stock orthopedic footwear nor do they have the equipment needed to fit patients.
The store?s attorney disputes the claims. While acknowledging that the requests for reimbursements were filed, he says they appear to be within Medicaid?s regulations.
Reimbursement claims dating back to 2006 lack supporting documentation, totaling in a Medicaid overpayment of $36,416. The state has filed an administrative action seeking over $2.5 million in recoveries, interest, and false-claim penalties.
Source: Asbury Park Press/OSD Live
