“Improper payments, bad data threaten access to long-term care, GAO health leader testifies,” by Kimberly Marselas, McKnight’s LTC News

Quote:

“Despite efforts to reduce improper payments in Medicaid, they continue to increase — rising to about $37 billion in fiscal year 2017,  the Government Accounting Office’s healthcare director told members of Congress Thursday. ‘The Medicaid program alone accounted for 26.1 percent of the fiscal year 2017 government-wide improper payment estimate,’ Carolyn L. Yocom testified before the House subcommittees on Government Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs. ‘It is critical to take appropriate measures to reduce improper payments, as dollars wasted detract from our ability to ensure that the individuals who rely on the Medicaid program — including children, and individuals who are elderly or disabled — are provided adequate care.’ … She said Medicaid expenditure data does not provide CMS with enough information to consistently ensure payments are proper because it does not include eligibility type. GAO also has previously found utilization data tracking covered healthcare services is incomplete and reported late.”

LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):  Nothing does more to prevent early and responsible long-term care planning than easy access to Medicaid LTC benefits after the insurable event occurs. Now we learn from GAO, adding insult to injury, that a significant proportion of Medicaid expenditures is improper and disconnected from eligibility type.

Improper payments, bad data threaten access to long-term care, GAO health leader testifies

#medicaid
#goldencareagent