That MSMS promote to its members an understanding of the professional and financial cost implications of insurance fraud for the entire physician community and encourage members to report physicians who are knowingly perpetrating health care fraud to the Michigan Board of Medicine and/or all other proper regulatory agencies.

The American Medical Association's Principles of Medical Ethics' second principle centers around medical fraud, stating:

A physician shall deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive to expose those physicians deficient in character or competence, or who engage in fraud or deception.

An issue so serious physicians are expected to report their colleagues, health care fraud has recently made headlines across the country, costing patients and health care providers millions of dollars alike.

What qualifies as health care fraud? Though the crime can take many shapes, the end-goal of fraudulent physicians remains clear -- to turn a profit. Unsuspecting patients, many of whom are low-income, disabled or elderly, are targeted for both their money and the collection of their personal information -- all of which can be sold to benefit the fraudulent health care provider.

Physicians who may find themselves in a position to report a fellow medical professional will help in keeping the Michigan medical community held at its current high regard. Reporting health care fraud can also benefit entire communities, while protecting the unsuspecting victims within it. Health care fraud reports are most commonly made to the Michigan Board of Medicine and insurance companies.

As an active and educated group of medical professionals, MSMS encourages its members to report any wrongdoing. With an ever expanding and rapidly evolving national health care system, MSMS sought to remain on the forefront of the important fight to lessen health care crime in Michigan with Resolution 26-14.