PORTLAND (WGME) — Vice President JD Vance, who is just hours away from visiting Maine, announced Wednesday that the Trump administration is freezing new Medicare enrollments for hospice and home health agencies.
This will be a six-month moratorium for all states, not just Maine.
It only applies to agencies looking to open a new hospice or home health facility.
For facilities in Maine already providing care or for existing clients, nothing changes and services won’t be interrupted.
The Trump administration claims the move is to protect people who depend on Medicare and taxpayers.
Without giving any specifics or announcing any policy changes, Vice President Vance says these agencies are a “key source of fraudulent activity”.
Earlier this year, the federal government questioned Maine over an audit, finding possible improper spending in state-administered programs.
“There has been some back…
MANAGEMENT & CULTURE (THE “TONE AT THE TOP”)
Fraud thrives in “sloppy” environments where leadership ignores the rules.
- The Fraud Triangle: For fraud to occur, three elements must be present: Pressure (the need for money), Rationalization (thinking “I deserve this”), and Opportunity (weak controls). You can only control the Opportunity.
- Whistleblower Hotline: Provide an anonymous way for staff to report “odd behavior.” Most internal frauds are caught via tips, not audits.
- Background Checks: Conduct credit and criminal record checks for all employees in financial or data-sensitive roles.
- Annual Ethics Training: Make sure every staff member knows that the company has a Zero Tolerance policy toward “borrowing” from petty cash or fudging overtime.