Ben Karrasch, a pivotal figure in the fight against healthcare fraud in Ohio, has now been given a national platform to escalate his efforts. As reported by the Ohio Attorney General's office, Karrasch, the chief of the Health Care Fraud Section under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, garnered unanimous support to preside over the National Association of Medicaid Fraud Control Units for the following year. This association stands at the vanguard of a crusade to expose Medicaid fraud while also defending the elderly and disabled from various injustices.
Revered for his proficiency in the labyrinthine domain of health-care fraud, Karrasch's election as president is a move that Yost believes will significantly benefit the national stage, noting that under Karrasch's stewardship, the Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which operates under the Health Care Fraud Section, has become a paragon in protecting the vulnerable and ensuring Medicaid funds are reserved for those who genuinely require them. Ohio's unit, in particular, teams up with multiple layers of government across the federal, state, and local spectrums to thwart Medicaid fraud and guard vulnerable individuals against harm, employing a battalion of 102 staffers dedicated to investigating, prosecuting, and bringing justice within the realm of healthcare.
According to the Ohio Attorney General's office release, the unit is committed to upholding the trust bestowed on nursing facilities by families. It promises to vigilantly monitor caregivers, ensuring their compliance with the expected quality of care. Those who worry that something is amiss, whether it concerns patient abuse or the embezzlement of Medicaid funds, are encouraged to contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at 800-282-0515 for a diligent response.
Financially, the Ohio Medicaid Fraud Control Unit's endeavors are primarily underwritten by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which furnishes three-quarters of its funds—a grant in the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025 amounting to an appreciable $15,343,488. The remainder of the budget, a sum of $5,114,493 for the same year, is covered by the Ohio Attorney General's Office, thus ensuring that the unit's operations have the backing necessary to continue its pivotal work without interruption, serving justice to those who target the system, and safety to those most in need.
