Hawke’s Bay DHB introduces fraud hotline

Hawke’s Bay DHB introduces fraud hotline

A fraud hotline, to stamp out health fraud, has been introduced at Hawke’s Bay District Health Board

The hotline is part of a fraud awareness programme and posters and brochures have been distributed throughout the DHB’s sites to bring fraud awareness to the attention of staff and visitors to DHB sites.

The joint initiative with Audit and Compliance, a Ministry of Health business unit responsible for managing risks associated with payment for services to contracted health providers, will operate the hotline.

Chief executive Kevin Snee said the hotline would make it easy for staff and members of the public to call in and report any suspicions of health provider fraud.

Hotline calls would be assessed by the MoH and reported to the DHB for further investigation.

Paul Johnstone, audit and compliance risk assessment and intelligence manager said fraud hotlines worked well and had resulted in a number of successful prosecutions against health and service providers.

“The aim is to mobilise the honest majority - fraud of health funding is unacceptable as it ultimately affects patients by taking money away from providing health care”, Mr Johnstone said.

Dr Snee said the DHB had not identified any instances of fraud, but it was important staff and members of the public were aware of the risks around fraud and were vigilant.

“We have a zero tolerance policy to fraud and the hotline has been setup to encourage people to take action and report their concerns in confidence. If there is any fraud happening we want to know so that health funds are spent on the health of the people of Hawke’s Bay.

Anyone with a concern regarding fraud in the health sector should call 0800 424 888 or email fraudhotline@moh.govt.nz.

ENDS