While serious healthcare fraud has made the news in states like Minnesota, Illinois and California, David Sanders’ alarming stories of similar healthcare fraud in Montana got everyone’s attention at our Rotary club meeting on April 22. 

As chief of staff in the Office of the Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Securities and Insurance James Brown, David shared many details about the significant healthcare fraud occurring in Montana.

He spoke in depth about major incidents focused on indigenous healthcare facilities throughout the state that have been victims of high-level fraud by agencies offering drug and alcohol treatment services outside of Montana.

David explained that the Auditor’s Office and staff have identified and are now pursuing recovery of fraudulent payments and contracts in excess of $50 million. They have collected, and are continuing to collect, inside information on these out-of-state, fraudulent “service companies” and have terminated or are in the process of terminating their contracts.

While fraud has been a headline in news media for months, many in the audience were unaware that this kind of crime is being found so close to home.

David also shared at the outset of his presentation ‘full disclosure’ that he is now a candidate for a seat on the Montana State Public Service Commission (PSC), following his experience serving there as executive director prior to joining the Auditor’s Office.

Thank you to Mike Schauf for hosting our speaker last week.