Your Medicaid benefits are provided to keep you or your family members healthy. As a Medicaid member, You are obligated to use your Medicaid card and Medicaid benefits in a responsible and legal way. Misusing your Medicaid benefits or Medicaid card can cause serious problems.

It is considered fraud if someone lies to get a service or benefit that is not needed or approved. If a person purposefully lies to get Medicaid to pay for something that is not needed, this is considered Abuse.

Misuse of your Medicaid card, including loaning, selling or giving it to others could result in you losing your Medicaid or other benefits. It can cause you to lose your Medicaid eligibility. Fraud and abuse are felony crimes. They can result in legal action against you, your family/friends or the provider who gives you the service.

What you can do to prevent Fraud

• Do not give your Medicaid card number to anyone except your doctor, hospital or other health care provider.
• Do not ask your doctor or other medical provider for medical care you do not need.
• Ask questions if someone wants you to have service or treatments that you feel you do not need. If necessary, get a second opinion from another health care provider.
• Do not accept money or gifts from anyone who offers to buy medicine that you have received through Medicaid.

If you think someone is committing fraud and abuse, you can contact:

• FHP Compliance Hotline at 1-800-808-8033
• FHP Compliance Officer at 813-246-7221
• Florida Medicaid Fraud unit at 1-866-966-7226

Read more about Medicaid Fraud in the state of Florida.