Call the Wyoming Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 307-777-3444, or toll free 1-800-378-0345. You may also email complaints to ag.medicaid.fraud@wyo.gov, or file a report online by clicking here. A printable copy of the form is also available here. 

You can also report provider fraud to the Wyoming Department of Health, Division of Healthcare Financing, Program Integrity Unit at 307-777-7531 or toll free 1-855-746-2563, or file a report online by clicking here. 

In Wyoming, every citizen is a mandatory reporter if they know or have reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, exploited, intimidated, abandoned, or is committing self neglect. Reports must be made to law enforcement or to the Department of Family Services. Reports may be made in person, or by phone. 

You can report vulnerable adult abuse by calling the Wyoming Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 307-777-3444, or toll free 1-800-378-0345. You may also email complaints to ag.medicaid.fraud@wyo.gov, or file a report online by clicking here. 

You can also call the Wyoming Department of Family Services, Adult Protective Services, by calling 307-886-9232, or toll free in Wyoming 1-800-457-3659. You can find more information about Adult Protective Services by visiting the Department's website. 

You may also report abuse or neglect to your local police or sheriff's departments. 

In case of an emergency, call 911. 

Medicaid is a state and federal partnership which provides medical benefits to children, pregnant women, families with children, and individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled in Wyoming. The federal and state governments have established eligibility criteria for the Wyoming Medicaid program. Eligibility is based on residency, income, and sometimes resources or healthcare needs. Individuals looking for more information about the Wyoming Medicaid program can find more information on the program's website. 

The Wyoming Medicaid Fraud Control Unit was founded in 1994 by Executive Order 1994-10. The MFCU is a division of the Wyoming Attorney General's Office, and is separate from the state Medicaid agency. The MFCU has statewide authority to investigate and criminally prosecute (or refer for prosecution) cases of Medicaid fraud, and patient abuse or neglect in residential care facilities. The MFCU may also bring civil actions to recover false Medicaid claims. The MFCU has a memorandum of understanding with Wyoming Medicaid, which describes the agencies' working relationship. 

Whistleblowers, Medicaid recipients, Medicaid providers, and other Wyoming citizens are our most common source of referrals. The MFCU also receives referrals from state and local law enforcement agencies, the Wyoming Department of Health, Wyoming Department of Family Services, and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. We also find new cases while investigating other referrals. 

Most health care providers are honest and provide quality services. Provider fraud still costs Medicaid millions of dollars. Medicaid fraud hurts taxpayers by diverting state funds from their intended purpose. Medicaid fraud hurts participants by limiting the funds available for their medical needs. 

Medicaid fraud involves the knowing using a false statement, a misrepresentation, or the failure to disclose a material fact in providing medical assistance in the Medicaid program. Medicaid fraud is a felony if the value of the assistance is over $500, otherwise, it's a misdemeanor.  

Medicare is a federally administered health insurance program for individuals age 65 or older, individuals receiving Social Security Disability Insurance, or individuals with End-State Renal Disease. The MFCU can only investigate Medicare fraud if the cases is primarily related to Medicaid and with the consent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Inspector General. You can report Medicare fraud by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477), TTY 1-800-337-4950, or by visiting the Medicare.gov website. 

There is no single example of Medicaid fraud. Medicaid fraud can include some medical services, or no service at all. Typical fraud schemes include unnecessarily increased costs, the overuse of resources, or inaccurate payments. Here are some common schemes used by criminals who take money from the program: 

• • Billing for medical good or services that were not provided;

  • Paying or accepting a “kickback” in exchange for a medical referral;

  • Concealing ownership in a related company;

  • Using false credentials;

  • Billing twice for the exact same service or item;

  • Billing Medicaid and the participant for the same service or item;

  • Billing a more expensive service than the one actually provided;

  • Prescribing or providing an unnecessary service; or

  • Forging patient records or service documentation.

Medicaid participants can help prevent fraud by staying alert and protecting their information. Examples of ways that you can protect yourself include: 

• • Regularly review your medical bills to ensure charges and dates are correct; 

  • Ask for a copy of everything you sign; 

  • Be suspicious of anyone offering tests in exchange for your Medicaid number; 

  • Only share your Medicaid number, records, and other information with your medical providers; 

  • Don’t consent to or ask for medical treatment that you don’t need; and 

  • Don’t sign blank medical forms.

Most importantly: If you know of or suspect fraudulent activities, report it!

The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit can review, investigate, and prosecute cases of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of patient funds in Medicaid funded facilities such as nursing homes, hospitals, and group homes. The MFCU can also review, investigate, and prosecute cases of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation of funds of Medicaid participants in all other service settings.

Abuse means intentional or reckless injury, unreasonable confinement, cruel punishment, sexual abuse, intimidation, or exploitation. Abuse can be caused by a caregiver, family member, persons of trust or authority, or a stranger. 

Neglect means taking or failing to provide a patient’s food, shelter, clothing, supervision, physical or mental health care, or medication needed to avoid physical or mental harm or illness. 

Misappropriation means temporarily or permanently exploiting, wrongfully using, or intentionally misplacing a resident’s property or money.

A Medicaid funded facility is any in-patient or residential setting where two or more unrelated persons live and receive nursing care or substantial assistance with their activities of daily living. The MFCU investigates abuse and neglect in Medicaid funded facilities regardless of the patient's Medicaid eligibility or payment source. 

There is no single form of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation. Patients may suffer physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result of these crimes. Patients, family members, caregivers, and concerned citizens can be on the look out for these common signs: 

• • • Unexplained or unusual bruising, bleeding, wounds, or sores; 

    • Other forms of physical injury such as bed sores, burns, cuts, or abrasions; 

    • Sudden and unexplained changes in weight or appearance; 

    • Sprained or broken bones; 

    • Acting withdrawn or frightened; 

    • Theft of personal items; 

    • Forged signatures; 

    • Dirty clothes, an unkempt appearance, or skin rashes; 

    • The use of harassment, intimidation, or undue influence to gain property or money;

    • Taking photographs or video in places where patients have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as a restroom, bath, shower, or dressing room;

    • Missing or broken dentures, glasses, hearing aids, walkers, or other personal items or aids; 

    • Forcing, compelling, coercing, or enticing a resident to perform services against the resident’s will; or

    • Taking, selling, or throwing away a patient’s medications.

If you suspect a Medicaid or board-and-care provider of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation, REPORT IT to your local DFS office, law enforcement, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.