Auditor General Says PA Overpaid Medicaid by More Than $3 Million

HARRISBURG, Jan. 28, 2009 – Auditor General Jack Wagner said today that the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, through its county assistance offices, failed to make proper Medicaid eligibility determinations on more than 1,600 Medicaid applicants between January 2005 and March 2008, resulting in $3.3 million in improper payments made on behalf of ineligible recipients.

“A dollar wasted is a dollar that could have gone to help a truly needy person receive the medical assistance he or she deserves,” Wagner said. “With the commonwealth facing widening budget deficits, the Department of Public Welfare must do all that it can to monitor the state’s Medicaid program, to make sure all funds are being spent efficiently, effectively, and for their intended purpose. I strongly urge DPW to take immediate steps to tighten its administration and oversight of this vitally important program to ensure that people who are eligible for Medicaid benefits will be able to receive every dollar they’re entitled to for their care.”

The audits are the first Medicaid eligibility audits completed by Wagner’s department.

For the full story, go to the auditor general's web site.