Senator Patrick M. Gallivan, (R-C, Elma) says a just released audit by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli raises serious concerns about how the state is handling the payment of Medicaid premiums. The report identified out-of-state Medicaid members and found close to $1.2 billion in managed care payments for members who may have resided outside of New York State. 

The audit found that the Department of Health (DOH) did not confirm that Medicaid members were New York residents and waited too long to try to recoup payments.

“The Department of Health must do a better job managing Medicaid premiums and to ensure payments are not going to care for those who are no longer eligible for coverage,” said Senator Gallivan, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health. “The DOH should take necessary steps to recover improper payments and procedures that should have been in place all along should be implemented immediately to better protect taxpayer dollars."

The comptroller’s office is recommending the Department of Health improve practices to verify residency, identify members living outside the state, and recover improper premium payments.

More information on the comptroller’s report is available here. 

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