The Trump administration announced a federal crackdown on Medicaid fraud, saying it will target improper payments and ineligible recipients in the program that provides health coverage to low-income Americans.
A Facebook post listing findings said the poster’s office identified more than $600,000 in improper payments made on behalf of deceased Mississippians and estimated that five to seven percent of Medicaid dollars in any given year go to people who make too much money to qualify.
The post also cited an instance of a couple living in a home valued at more than $1.3 million who appeared on Medicaid rolls and said more than $10.5 million over three years was spent on health care for illegal immigrants. The post said those findings demonstrate that Medicaid fraud occurs across the country and urged stronger state efforts to ensure dollars are spent properly.
Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and states and is administered by states with federal oversight. The announcement signals increased federal attention to enforcement, and officials say they expect states to tighten eligibility and payment controls. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
