City Joins Pilot Program to Fight Medicaid Fraud

New York, NY —

Medicaid is expected to cost New York City $5 billion in 2007. The city announced yesterday that it had joined a pilot program that makes it easier for local governments to fight fraud by health care providers.

By participating in New York State's Medicaid Fraud, Waste and Abuse Demonstration Project, the city can investigate doctors, hospitals and clinics who've committed fraud in exchange for any money recovered. Before joining the program, the city could only look into providers insured under Medicaid.

Mayor Bloomberg said, “We expect that the City’s efforts could eventually generate millions of dollars in fraud recoveries and will contribute to restoring the integrity of the program."