A preliminary report from the Government Accountability Office raises concerns about Affordable Care Act subsidy fraud. Findings show fake applicants received subsidies totaling thousands of dollars monthly, while some real applicants used duplicate SSNs. Critics argue the report doesn’t prove widespread fraud.

Congressional Republicans claim the report demonstrates waste, fraud, and abuse in the ACA. However, critics argue that the findings only indicate potential fraud and not conclusive evidence of widespread wrongdoing. The report highlights the need for anti-fraud measures in the health care system.

Despite alarming figures, experts suggest the scale of fraud in the GAO report is minimal compared to overall health care spending. While changes to the system are necessary, caution is advised against reducing federal subsidies based on the report’s findings.

To protect against health care fraud, individuals are advised to safeguard personal information, verify sources, and monitor financial statements for any suspicious activity. Prompt reporting of suspected fraud to authorities is crucial to combat fraudulent behavior in the health care system.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Fake Obamacare accounts got $2,350/month from US taxpayers, watchdog finds. Why experts say it’s no bombshell