Question

Agree or not?

Describe Saul’s ethical dilemma.

It seems that Saul’s brother Dr. Smith has been double-billing a number of his patients. Most paid with cash, but Dr. Smith also billed them through Medicaid. When Saul questioned his brother about it he replied, “Yes, they are over the age of 65, so I made a bill for Medicaid.” (Ferrell et al, 2018, p. 161). It seems that Dr. Smith has confused Medicaid with Medicare in making these charges because he replied to Saul that his attention to detail is poor and that is why he hired him. Two other points are that Dr. Smith keeps his patient records and books haphazardly and that most of the residents of Zoar qualified for Medicaid. So, I do not see why Saul thinks these charges were not accidental?

Why would Medicare fraud be a white-collar crime?

This would be considered a white-collar crime because nobody was physically hurt and it involved the possibility of deceit, concealment, subterfuge, and other fraudulent activity usually involving monetary loss to individuals, businesses, banks, companies, and the like for personal gain.

How should Saul approach the situation?

I believe he should meticulously go through all the records and receipts to account for how much was double-billed, (apparently over 75,000.00 dollars) and if all the individuals were 65 or older. Then he needs to determine where that money went and sit down with his brother to go over the results to convince him that he needs to report this. If it turns out that all of it was an honest mistake, then his brother would probably be in the clear and just have to pay the money back to Medicaid.

Answer 1

I agree with your responses, however I have made slight changes in both the responses to look them more formal and agreeable

There are two reasons why this is a white color crime:

• Firstly the definition of white collor crime is that it is conducted by high social class which in this case is Dr Smith, being a doctor he represent to high social class.
• Second is that white collor crime referred to such crimes which are criminal offenses, where there is some form of cheating to make financial gain. Further in this case as nobody was physically hurt and the fact of this case shows the possibility of cheating, concealment, subterfuge, and other fraudulent activity usually involving monetary loss to individuals, businesses, banks, companies, and the like for personal gain.

I believe Saul should take following actions:

• First he should go through all the records and receipts to account for how much was double-billed (apparently over 75,000.00 dollars)
• Secondly if all the individuals were 65 or older.
• Once we have the details how much is billed than the next task is to determine where that money went and sit down with his brother to go over the results to convince what needs to be reported and why

If it turns out that all of it was an honest mistake, then everything will become clear to both of them and they just have to pay the money back to Medicaid if required.