The special fraud team was found to have no deficiencies in its operations and procedures.
A special wing of the Florida Attorney General’s Office[1] now has official status to help fight Medicaid rip-offs in the state.
James Uthmeier announced the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU[2]) has earned formal accreditation. Uthmeier disclosed[3] the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA[4]) gave the go ahead to the formal acknowledgment of the Medicaid Fraud team that is within the Florida Department of Legal Affairs.
The accreditation was awarded on Sanibel Island during thee CFA’s fall conference. The accreditation involves on-site assessments of the operations of the unit and it was found to have no deficiencies.
“Accreditation is the gold standard in law enforcement,” said Uthmeier. “For the first time since its founding in 1994, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit has earned CFA accreditation — and they did it without a single deficiency. That speaks volumes about the integrity, professionalism, and dedication of our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and our shared commitment to protecting Florida’s seniors and taxpayers.”
The CFA is the essential standard bearer of law enforcement and corrections departments throughout Florida. Most sheriff’s offices and police departments seek accreditation approval from the organization to demonstrate commitment to professional policies and procedures.
The CFA explains its process as rigorous and thorough.
“An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and prescribed standards. Law enforcement agencies and Inspectors General in Florida can attain accredited status through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc.,” the CFA said.
The CFA team that reviewed the Medicaid Fruad Unit included Matt Fletcher, the Assistant Chief of Police for Naples; Mark Gish, Central Records Division Manager for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office; and Scott Sumpter, Investigator with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.