Health care fraud, waste and abuse create a negative effect on the health care industry. These cost billions of dollars each year. It impacts all of us in the long run. Health care fraud leads to:
- Higher health care costs
- Limited health care resources
- Lower confidence in our health care system
Avoid Health Care Fraud
Protect your information.
- Contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas if you lose your member ID card or if it’s stolen.
- If your personal information is compromised, report this at IdentityTheft.gov.
Beware of “free” services.
- Beware if you are asked to provide your health insurance information for a “free” service. The service is probably not free. Your policy may be billed.
- Never share your personal information with callers you have not confirmed.
Reasons to Contact BCBSTX
BCBSTX can check your claims. We may refer concerns to our Special Investigations Department (SID). Here are some reasons why SID may need to review a claim:
- You did not request or receive a service or supplies.
- There is a concern with repeat billing of a service or supplies.
- You shared your health insurance ID number during a marketing call and now you have concerns.
We all need to work together to reduce health care fraud. BCBSTX works to fight fraud with help from our:
- Members
- Providers
- Employer groups
- Producers
- Local, state and federal agencies and law enforcement
BCBSTX's SID staff includes people from diverse backgrounds such as:
- Medical providers (doctors and nurses)
- Professional coders
- Insurance industry experts
- Law enforcement
SID also has a Data Intelligence Unit to partner with SID investigators. They work to find and stop fraud, waste and abuse. When needed, SID refers fraud cases for criminal prosecution.
Review tips to prevent health care fraud.
How Do I Report Potential Concerns?
If you suspect fraud, there are ways to report it.
Report Online
- Complete a fraud report
If you need to file a report in Spanish or another language, please Report by Phone. - You can also report fraud, waste and abuse online at the Office of Inspector General (OIG) website.
Report by Phone
To report fraud, you can call:
- BCBSTX CHIP Customer Advocate Department at 1-888-657-6061 (TTY/TDD: 711).
- BCBSTX Fraud Hotline at 1-800-543-0867.
- OIG Hotline at 1-800-436-6184.
Calls are always confidential. You can remain anonymous or let us know if you want to be contacted.
Report by U.S. Mail
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
Special Investigations Department
1001 East Lookout Drive, Tower A, 2nd Floor
Richardson, TX 75082
Inspector General Integrity Initiative
We are part of the Inspector General Integrity Initiative and have pledged to partner with the OIG to fight fraud, waste and abuse in Texas' Medicaid program. To learn more, visit the OIG website. You can also review this Fraud, Waste and Abuse brochure.
If you have any questions, contact our Customer Advocate Department at 1-888-657-6061.