States will be required to submit additional documentation for high-risk claims before they can receive payment.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has deferred over $1 billion in federal Medicaid payments to the states of California and Minnesota until additional documentation is filed for certain high-risk Medicaid claims. This action follows focused financial reviews after the discovery of significant fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid claims that were filed from both states.
“Medicaid exists to serve vulnerable Americans – not to bankroll unsupported claims,“ HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. said. “States that receive federal Medicaid funding must demonstrate that every dollar meets federal requirements. When they cannot, we will not release federal funds until they do.”
“CMS is done trying to chase down stolen and misused funds after they’ve already left the building,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “That’s why we’re deferring payments with respect to certain high-risk services within the Medicaid programs in California and Minnesota as part of our proactive new approach to program integrity.“
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Oz to be discerning as they continue efforts to prevent fraud in the Medicare and Medicaid systems.
- For federal and state officials as they address the potential fraudulent Medicaid claims.
- For HHS and CMS personnel as they endeavor to ensure only eligible recipients receive Medicaid funds.
Sources: Department of Health and Human Services
