Support for data standardization in government is building strongly, with standards based on the National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) now going through Congress. There are large benefits in sight for the use of standards in health and human services – through fraud reduction. "I think some of the fraud that happens in this country is based on the presumption that systems don't talk to one another," says Massachusetts CIO Craig Burlingame.
According to Noelle Knell in Government Technology, "an opening statement for the Ways and Means Subcommittee hearing on Thursday, April 19, explains that an early goal of the data standardization effort was to curb the high cost of these improper payments, which peaked at $125 billion in 2010."
What percentage of fraud (ie improper payments) can be put down to a lack of data standardization? I'd make a guess that it's 100 per cent.
I say this because all fraud involves a mismatch between two or more facts that is unseen by the granting authority. If you buy the Brooklyn Bridge from someone without checking whether they have title to the property, then you are the victim of fraud. But you're also a dope.
Common data standards drive interoperability. Interoperability eradicates fraud. Simple.
Comments