Educating Patients and Families Key to Fighting Hospice Fraud, Says Cotiviti VP

May 22, 2026 - 18:28

Efforts to combat hospice fraud could see significant improvement if patients and their families receive better education on how to recognize warning signs, according to Erin Rutzler, vice president at Cotiviti. Rutzler emphasized that many individuals are unaware of what legitimate hospice care should look like, leaving them vulnerable to schemes that exploit Medicare and other programs.

Hospice fraud often involves providers billing for services that were never rendered, enrolling patients who are not terminally ill, or continuing to collect payments long after a patient has died. Rutzler noted that families may not question these practices because they are unfamiliar with hospice regulations or are overwhelmed by end-of-life decisions. She argued that targeted education campaigns could empower patients and caregivers to ask the right questions, such as whether a provider is properly certified or why certain services are being billed.

The call for greater awareness comes as federal authorities ramp up enforcement against healthcare fraud, which costs taxpayers billions annually. Rutzler stressed that while technology and data analytics play a role in detecting suspicious billing patterns, human vigilance remains essential. By teaching families what to expect from legitimate hospice care, the industry can reduce opportunities for bad actors to take advantage of vulnerable populations. The message is clear: informed patients are a powerful line of defense.