A press release from Congressman Peter Roskam:

Roskam Fraud Prevention bill advances out of Committee

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Ways and Means Committee, in a bipartisan vote, passed H.R. 6690, the Fighting Fraud to Protect Care for Seniors Act.

This legislation, introduced by Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) creates a pilot program to test the use of smart card technology in the Medicare Program, reducing fraud.

The Fighting Fraud to Protect Care for Seniors Act was first introduced in December of last year as the Medicare Common Access Card (CAC) Act.

Peter Roskam

“Despite advancements in technology, predictive modeling and authentication security, we have yet to see our healthcare payment systems evolve and

adopt innovative tools.

“This bipartisan bill will help update Medicare to protect seniors by using credit card style anti-fraud technology,” said Rep. Roskam during his remarks.

“[This bill], which I’ve introduced with my colleague across the aisle, Congressman Blumenauer, empowers CMS to use smart chip technology to verify a beneficiary and the service they receive.”

In a letter to Reps. Roskam and Blumenauer, AARP expressed their appreciation for this legislation.

“Older Americans are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of identity theft because Medicare cards visibly contain the beneficiary’s Social Security Number (SSN),” wrote Joyce Rogers, AARP Senior Vice President for Government Affairs.

[The new cards no longer contain a senior’s Social Security number.]

“This technology deserves to be tested and evaluated. Combating fraud and abuse is about more than just saving money, it is about protecting beneficiaries and improving care,” she continued.

Illinois-based Zebra Technologies – an innovative technology company focused on solutions to streamline healthcare and enhance patient safety – also endorsed the move in a letter saying,

“Zebra Technologies Corporation is pleased to offer our endorsement of H.R. 6690, the Fighting Fraud to Protect Care for Seniors Act.

“We strongly support the bill’s goal of significantly reducing fraud and waste in the Medicare program and we commend [Representatives Roskam and Blumenauer] for [their] leadership in advancing this important legislation.”