NHCAA Presents 2013 Medical Director Award to Dr. Gary Cicio

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) has named Gary Cicio, DPM as its 2013 Medical Director Award recipient for his significant contributions and outstanding accomplishments to the field of health care fraud-fighting.

For more than 18 years, Dr. Cicio has served as an independent consultant and more recently as a clinical director of fraud investigations for WellPoint, Inc., a member of NHCAA. In his consultant role, he contracted with many regional and national health plans and program integrity organizations nationwide, and worked with federal and state law enforcement providing pretrial case development and expert witness testimony in both civil and criminal cases. At WellPoint, Dr. Cicio directs clinical record review to substantiate allegations of health care fraud.

Dr. Cicio has been unwavering in his commitment as a passionate and outspoken anti-fraud advocate, building cooperative efforts with private health plans and local, state and federal agencies that encourage the sharing of information and greater fraud awareness. His expertise extends far beyond his specialty of podiatry, and his dedication and persistence in the fight against health care fraud is evidenced by the number of agencies and organizations that have sought his assistance.

In commending Dr. Cicio's work, WellPoint's Director of Enterprise Investigations and 2013 Chair of the NHCAA Board of Directors Alanna Lavelle had this to say: "Over the years Dr. Cicio has brought to my team a clear passion for fighting fraud. He brings exemplary dedication, investigative acumen and prosecutorial zeal to the industry and is an indispensable partner."

Former NHCAA Board Chair and SIU Director for EmblemHealth Tom Cantwell said, "While all insurance carriers' special investigations units are skilled and interested in fighting fraud, I don't know that I have met another SIU medical director that has pushed the envelope more in developing tools to accomplish his mission. Dr. Cicio has been instrumental in saving EmblemHealth significant losses from fraud and his investigative work has resulted in the arrest and prosecution of numerous bad actors." 

Beyond his own work with WellPoint, Dr. Cicio has strived to promote involvement of his professional colleagues in the fight against health care fraud. He is a board certified member of the American Board of Podiatric Surgery as well as a Certified Professional Coder. Dr. Cicio is a founding member and former Chair of the NHCAA Medical Directors Advisory Group, has served as faculty at NHCAA conferences, and serves on the NHCAA 2014 Annual Training Conference Committee.

"Dr. Cicio has been a dogged champion of health care fraud investigators, both private and public, helping to bridge the gap between investigative know-how and clinical insight," said Louis Saccoccio, Chief Executive Officer of NHCAA. "NHCAA is very proud to honor Dr. Cicio with the 2013 Medical Director Award for his commitment to combating health care fraud."

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