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2012 Fraud Zone Archive

Use of expensive new drugs on the rise   

The use of expensive new drugs called biologics by medical schemes members is on the rise, putting medical schemes under pressure, medicines benefit management company Mediscor said on Friday as it launched its annual medicines review.
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Health costs depend on who's talking     

The inquiry into private healthcare in South Africa will reveal what many have been asking about the fees charged by private hospitals.
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Mediclinic buys out UAE minorities, but denies avoiding SA

Private hospital group Mediclinic International has denied that the expansion of its investment in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was an indication of diminished prospects in South Africa and anxiety about the introduction of National Health Insurance (NHI). 
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Anger as Polmed CEO is given R1m increase

A police union wants registrar of medical schemes to intervene and save the SAPS's "financially struggling" medical aid after Polmed's board approved the CEO's R3.4 million salary. The move might result in the scheme being placed under administration.  
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Help your Scheme protect your benefits

As GEMS, our mission is to serve our valued members and to broaden access to healthcare benefits for all public service employees. And we need your help to continue accomplishing this mission.
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"Tooth bling" scam hits medical aids

Shocking fraud involving "tooth bling" has come to light as two reliable sources from the dental industry spoke out this week about widespread corruption surrounding the popular trend of having gold or silver inlays put into teeth as a fashion statement.
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Presciption fraud: Mother of two guilty

A Polokwane mother of two has been found guilty of fraud after she used a computer to copy and change a doctor's prescription for drugs.Prudence Lekganyane  was given a two-year sentence, suspended for five years, for  attempting to gain drugs by fraudulently creating a prescription in the name of a local doctor.
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ARVs 'bandits' terror spree

Brazen armed gangs are targeting Soweto doctors for anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), which are a component for the cheap streets drug nyaope.
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SA link exposed in Aids drugs scam

South African police and prosecutors have struck a blow against an internatioal anti-retroviral (ARV) drug syndicate operating in at least five countries.
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Lawyers, doctor in R6m Road Accident Fund fraud case

A fraud case against six Pretoria attorneys and a medical doctor who allegedly defrauded the Road Accident Fund (RAF) of R6-million was yesterday postponed in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.
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Pharmacist's fraud trial continues 

The trial involving a well-known Soweto pharmacist, who has been accused of being part of a syndicate that defrauded medical aids, was due to continue today. 
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Medical aid efforts fail to keep fraud in check

Medical scheme fraud, estimated at about R15bn annually, is not declining, despite greater sharing of information by medical schemes and a zero-tolerance approach by some of the bigger medical schemes.
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Medical World Scam

A Mpumalanga mine worker talks about his unfortunate experiences with medical practitioners.
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UK drugs giant pleads guilty to fraud 

The US Justice Department (DOJ) on Monday said UK-headquartered pharmaceuticals giant GlaxoSmithKline has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges in respect of company's sales, marketing, and pricing practices.
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South Africa: Suppliers Warned of Fraudulent Purchasing Orders

The Department of Health and Social Development in Limpopo has warned all suppliers not to render services without having the original purchasing order and personally verify the order with the department.
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Doctor goes online to save face

On Monday, the flashy Awath-Behari, 38, and her ex-husband, general practitioner Dr Mahendra Pramchand, 42, were charged with 266 counts of fraud in the Commercial Crimes Court in Durban over the treatment of, among others, "depressed" police members. They were released on R60000 bail each.
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Fraud Announcement

GEMS takes healthcare fraud very seriously. To assist us with stopping fraudulent activities by members or service providers, please contact us on our 'Whistle Blowing' Hotline. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
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KPMG Anti fraud survey

It is evident that the Medical Aid industry continues to be very much exposed to fraud and its related activities, although it is pleasing to note positive trends compared with previous surveys. The purpose of this survey, as with its predecessors, is to measure the response to fraud and to consider trends in terms of prevalence and frequency. It is our desire that the survey will serve as a tool in the fight against fraud.
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Registration irregularities at HPCSA

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is today revealing registration irregularities within the council after a foreign qualified neurosurgeon, who has never met the requirements for registration, was registered with the council.
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Bogus neurosurgeon 'fooled system'

The Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has blamed itself for allowing a bogus neurosurgeon to practice at South African hospitals.
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Dentist guilty of fraud still practising

More than two years after a dental surgeon was convicted on 1947 counts of fraud relating to medical aid claims, he is still practising.
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Doctor signs death note without seeing body

An East London doctor has admitted to signing former ANC branch chairperson Zolani Xego's death certificate without seeing his body, the Dispatch online reported on Wednesday.
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Another diet scam exposed

With more than 50% of women and 29% of men in South Africa suffering from overweight or obesity, it is understandable that there are many adults in South Africa who are desperate to lose weight.  
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