Medicare Program Paid $125B Improperly

The U.S. Medicare program sent out more than $125 billion in improper payments over three years for a plan that insures hospital and medical services for the elderly, including home health care, possibly triggering a congressional review.

Improper payments from the plan, called Medicare Fee-For-Service, exceeded a threshold of 10 percent of total payments from fiscal 2013 through 2015, according to a report released Thursday by the Health and Human Services Department’s Office of Inspector General. After three consecutive years over the limit, the program is required by law to submit plans to Congress for re-authorization or returning to compliance, the report said.