Aetna's Ralph Carpenter Elected NHCAA Board Chair

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) today announced that Ralph J. Carpenter, Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for Aetna has been elected as the new Chair of its Board of Directors.  Carpenter succeeds Alanna Lavelle, Director of Enterprise Investigations for WellPoint, Inc.  

Carpenter joined Aetna in 2008, after serving 28 years in law enforcement and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Connecticut State Police. During his tenure with the State Police he held several ranks and positions that included assignments as Barracks Commander, State Police Academy Commandant, Public Information Officer, and Tactical Team member. As a detective in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations he ran undercover organized crime investigations as well as undercover auto theft investigations. In addition, Carpenter worked in the Bureau of Special Investigations where as a detective he oversaw public corruption and fraud cases.  In this capacity he worked on a number of FBI task force operations that resulted in the arrest and conviction of a numerous criminals. 

At the time of his retirement from law enforcement, Carpenter was appointed by the Governor of Connecticut to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Following that assignment, he was appointed as Commissioner of the Department of Transportation and in that role often assisted the FBI with investigations into possible fraudulent contracts. 

For the past five years Carpenter has led Aetna's SIU as Director and currently oversees a staff of more than 140.  His responsibilities include the oversight of all healthcare fraud investigations conducted by the SIU.  He oversees multiple investigative teams, the SIU systems support unit, as well as the field analyst staff assigned to various locations throughout the country.

"Ralph's passion for and commitment to fighting health care fraud saves Aetna, our customers and state and federal governments hundreds of millions of dollars each year," stated Carl King, head of Aetna National Network and Contracting Services. "We are proud to have Ralph's expertise at work for Aetna and within the industry.  His leadership and strategic acumen are certain to advance NHCAA's efforts to prevent health care fraud and abuse."

"Since joining the Board of Directors in 2010, Ralph has made a tremendous contribution to NHCAA's mission.  He fully understands the challenges fraud and abuse pose for our nation's health care system and possesses the vision and expertise to meet those challenges," said Louis Saccoccio, Chief Executive Officer of NHCAA. "Ralph is an extraordinary leader and NHCAA and its members are very proud to have him serve as the 2014 Board Chair."

Acknowledging the challenge before him, Carpenter said, "I have quickly learned to appreciate the enormity of the health care fraud problem our nation faces. Having an association solely dedicated to fighting this complex crime is invaluable, and I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead NHCAA and its members in the coming year. I'm impressed by the breadth of work that is undertaken by the association and its members every day. I look forward to contributing to NHCAA's continued successes as we forge ahead in renewed efforts to strengthen collaboration between the private and public sectors in pursuit of health care fraud."

Carpenter's election was announced in conjunction with NHCAA's Annual Training Conference in Orlando, Florida.  The Annual Training Conference is the premier event recognized as the nation's leading health care anti-fraud forum for approximately 1,200 public- and private-sector health care anti-fraud professionals.

Founded in 1985, the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association is the leading national organization focused exclusively on the fight against health care fraud. Our members comprise more than 100 private health insurers and those public-sector law enforcement and regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over health care fraud committed against both private payers and public programs.

SOURCE National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association