Fraud Detection in Montana After Minnesota Scandal

Following a significant fraud case in Minnesota, some states are re-evaluating the situation on their own turf. In Montana, James Brown, who serves as the state’s insurance commissioner and comptroller, conducted an investigation out of sheer curiosity. The results were shocking.

During a recent episode, Glenn Beck interviewed Brown to discuss a substantial Obamacare fraud case that has recently come to light in Montana.

Brown expressed his dismay at the situation, describing it as “terrible.” He emphasized, “This is government at its worst. This is humanity at its worst.”

Under the provisions of Obamacare, individuals from federally recognized American Indian tribes can enroll in Marketplace health plans at any time—unlike others who are restricted to open enrollment periods—often incurring little to no personal cost.

“The scheme targeted vulnerable Native Americans living on reservations in Montana, fraudulently enrolling them in Obamacare, transporting them across state lines—essentially committing human trafficking—and billing insurance companies for treatments that were either unnecessary or grossly overpriced,” Brown explained.

He added, “Eventually, these individuals are left on the streets in places like Arizona and Southern California.”

When Glenn asked why they were transported out of state, Brown noted that a lack of sufficient oversight in cities like Los Angeles and Phoenix enabled scammers to take advantage of the Affordable Care Act’s robust protections for mental health and addiction services. These federal laws mandate that insurance providers cover rehab services as they would for regular medical procedures, which allowed questionable facilities to collect substantial payments through fraudulent claims.

Continuing the conversation, Glenn inquired, “What kind of financial magnitude are we looking at here?”

“This scheme has led to approximately 50 million in fraudulent transactions,” Brown detailed, noting that the silver lining is that his office has stopped an additional “23.3 million” in thefts.

However, the financial implications are only part of the concern. Brown mentioned, “There are likely around 200 Native American victims involved in this.” Yet, his jurisdiction only extends to Montana, and much of the fraudulent activity occurs out of state, making cooperation with federal authorities essential for any prosecutions.

Glenn probed further, asking if there was active promotion of these fraudulent practices.

Brown responded that the Trump administration has been supportive, particularly the federal agency overseeing Obamacare. “They are actively collaborating with us to halt these fraudulent payments,” he noted, although he acknowledged that progress on criminal prosecutions has been slow.

To delve deeper into the extensive fraud operation uncovered in Montana, viewers are encouraged to watch the full interview above.