If you suspect fraud and the facility's compliance officer does not respond adequately, which step is appropriate?

• A. Report to the Office of the Inspector General, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or the private payer
• B. Do nothing and wait for a response
• C. Publicly disclose the allegations
• D. File a civil lawsuit against the facility

Answer: (A)

When you suspect fraud and the facility’s compliance officer does not respond adequately, you escalate to authorities with real investigative power. Reporting to the Office of the Inspector General, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or the private payer ensures that trained investigators can verify the concerns, pursue enforcement, and recover improper payments if needed. These external channels are the appropriate, formal avenues when internal remedies stall and involve programs funded by government or private payers, offering documented processes and protections for whistleblowers. Waiting, publicly disclosing allegations, or filing a civil lawsuit directly without first engaging these authorities can undermine investigations, breach privacy, and jump into legal action without the proper groundwork.