How Fraud and Waste Harm Medicaid

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

Medicaid suffers from fraud, although payment errors may cost even more.

Medicaid Improper Payments Types 2024

Billions of Dollars

President Donald Trump aims to reshape the federal government in part by dramatically cutting spending. Health care is an appealing target for cost-cutting because it accounts for about 30 percent of the federal budget.

The United States spent more than $1.8 trillion on Medicare, Medicaid, and other health programs in 2023. The budget deficit was $1.7 trillion that year.

Medicaid alone accounts for $616 billion in federal spending, or 8 percent of the federal budget.

Medicaid is a federal and state program providing health coverage for about 80 million low-income U.S. citizens. States operate the program with oversight from the federal government, which reimburses states for a certain percentage of the amount spent for each beneficiary.

In 2022 the total cost of the program was $804 billion. States paid 29 percent of that amount, making it the largest single expense for all states.

As federal budget negotiations are now underway, some lawmakers have hinted at changes to Medicaid, such as placing a cap on the amount reimbursed per person, cutting the rate of reimbursement to states, or adding work requirements for some beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, Trump has said there will be no alterations to Medicaidโ€”or Medicare and Social Securityโ€”except to root out fraud.

So how much fraud, waste, and abuse exist in the Medicaid program?

It is difficult to determine because much fraud goes undetected.

Based on data from the Government Accountability Office and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), it appears that less than 3 percent of the estimated total of fraudulent payments are proven by a judicial verdict. Some suspected cases are resolved by out-of-court settlements, but much fraud appears to go undetected.

Beyond fraud, Medicaid loses billions through improper payments each year. In 2024, Medicaid made improper payments totaling more than $31 billion dollars, the Department of Health and Human Services reported.

Most of those payments resulted from clerical errors. However, improper payments include all types of erroneous payments, including fraud, abusive billing, and waste.

Byย Lawrence Wilson

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

ChatGPT Goes Biblical about End Times!

There are some truly outstanding internet content creators, or...

Epsteinโ€™s Niece Exposes the Illuminati!

There is a shocking interview by the podcaster Shaun Attwood, an English former ecstasy trafficker turned YouTube podcaster, speaker, activist, and author.

When Gynocrats Attack: Innocent Locker Room Talk Interrupted By Rabid Karen

The question posed: โ€œWho do you think has a...

Obamaโ€™s Treason is a Betrayal of American Democracy and Demands Real Accountability

Few scandals have cast a longer shadow than the 2016 Russia investigationโ€”the manufactured crisis by President Obama designed to cripple Trump's presidency.

Chronic Grievous Insufficiency

A president's physical vigor, stamina, and mental acuity are essential to his ability to fulfill the duties of office and those qualities should matter with no regard to party affiliation.

US Witnessing โ€˜CapEx Comebackโ€™ as Investment Wave Hits Economy: Treasury

The U.S. economy is experiencing a โ€œCapEx Comebackโ€ this year as private-sector investment soars, the Treasury Department said.

What to Know About New ‘Visa Integrity Fee’

New refundable โ€œVisa Integrity Feeโ€ for foreign nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas to enter the United States.

Oregon High School Athletes File First Amendment Lawsuit Over Podium Protest

AFPI filed lawsuit for Oregon high school athletes, alleging OSAA violated their First Amendment rights by punishing their peaceful protest of boy competing in girlsโ€™ event.

Professional Wrestling Legend, Hulk Hogan, Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, former WWE superstar and one of the most recognizable figures in the sports entertainment industry, has died at 71 years old.

Odds of U.S.-EU Trade Deal Are 50โ€“50 Ahead of Tariff Deadline: Trump

President Donald Trump said thereโ€™s a 50โ€“50 chance that the United States will finalize a trade deal with the European Union before an Aug. 1 deadline.

Trump Pulls Habbaโ€™s Nomination for New Jerseyโ€™s Top Prosecutor, Making Her Acting US Attorney

President Trump withdrew his nomination of Alina Habba to serve as NJโ€™s top federal prosecutor, making her Acting US Attorney.

Trump Says He Wants Muskโ€™s Companies to โ€˜Thrive Like Never Beforeโ€™

On Thursday, President Trump said, โ€œI want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before!โ€

DOJ Forms Strike Force to Assess DNI Findings on Russia Collusion Allegations

DOJ is forming task force following the declassification of docs that shed light on origins of false claims that Trump won 2016 election with Russiaโ€™s help.
spot_img

Related Articles