Final answer:
The FTC, FDA, and CMS are key agencies that protect against healthcare fraud, with the ACA implementing regulations to prevent fraud by improving efficiency. State and local agencies collaborate with federal entities to ensure compliance and oversight across the healthcare sector.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) play a critical role in protecting against fraud in the healthcare industry. The FTC protects against deceptive practices, while the FDA ensures the safety and efficacy of drugs, and CMS governs Medicare and Medicaid with provisions like the Anti-Kickback Statute and the False Claims Act to prevent fraud.
Furthermore, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) introduced measures to curb healthcare costs, including caps on administrative expenditures and mandatory adoption of electronic medical records (EMRs). These regulations are designed to make the healthcare system more efficient and reduce the opportunities for fraudulent activities. For example, EMRs can be audited more easily than paper records, making illicit activities harder to conceal.
State and local government agencies also collaborate with federal agencies to ensure regulatory compliance. This integrated approach helps to create a more robust oversight and enforcement system, making it difficult for fraudulent activities to go undetected. Both federal and state agencies maintain a vigil against fraud to minimize financial loss and protect patients from harm.