You’ve probably heard about Minnesota’s fraud problems. Maine also needs to clean up its act.
Last month, HHS investigators released a report that identified at least $45 million in improper payments to the state’s Medicaid-funded treatment program for children with autism.
Somali fraudsters in Minnesota stole millions from a similar program, and we’re seeing all the same red flags in Maine:
Rapid growth in payouts (over 50% in just four years)
Treatment centers clustering in small geographic areas
Insufficient documentation of autism diagnoses
Lack of effective state oversight
Other programs, including interpreter services and personal care, are also raising red flags.
That’s why, today, we sent Gov. Janet Mills and her state health commissioner a letter outlining our concerns and requesting additional information.
We want to know what MaineCare is doing to 1) prevent fraud, 2) identify fraud when it happens, 3) ban dishonest providers from billing the system, and 4) recover stolen or misspent taxpayer funds.
If we’re not satisfied with their answers, CMS is ready to take action.
Gov. Mills has 30 days to respond. The clock is ticking.
Last month, HHS investigators released a report that identified at least $45 million in improper payments to the state’s Medicaid-funded treatment program for children with autism.
Somali fraudsters in Minnesota stole millions from a similar program, and we’re seeing all the same red flags in Maine:
Rapid growth in payouts (over 50% in just four years)
Treatment centers clustering in small geographic areas
Insufficient documentation of autism diagnoses
Lack of effective state oversight
Other programs, including interpreter services and personal care, are also raising red flags.
That’s why, today, we sent Gov. Janet Mills and her state health commissioner a letter outlining our concerns and requesting additional information.
We want to know what MaineCare is doing to 1) prevent fraud, 2) identify fraud when it happens, 3) ban dishonest providers from billing the system, and 4) recover stolen or misspent taxpayer funds.
If we’re not satisfied with their answers, CMS is ready to take action.
Gov. Mills has 30 days to respond. The clock is ticking.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
