In FY 2017, Medicaid paid out $36.7 billion in improper payments. To help improve oversight and program management, In 2011, CMS began the T-MISS (Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System) initiative to improve Medicaid data. Over the past few years CMS has gathered this data but does not … Read more about Further Action Needed to Expedite Use of National Data for Program Oversight
Social Security Disability: Additional Measures and Evaluation Needed to Enhance Accuracy and Consistency of Hearings Decisions
When individuals do not agree with the initial decision of a Social Security Disability claim, they can appear before one of 1,500 administrative law judges. However, according to GAO, "the rate at which these judges have allowed benefits has varied, raising questions about the reasons for this … Read more about Social Security Disability: Additional Measures and Evaluation Needed to Enhance Accuracy and Consistency of Hearings Decisions
Self-Insurance for Companies With Multiple Cleanup Liabilities Presents Financial and Environmental Risks for EPA and the Public
Financial assurance is used by owners and operators who are obligated to treat, store, or dispose of regulated hazardous waste and pay for closure, post-closure care and corrective action costs (typically environmental cleanup). The EPA has the authority to provide taxpayer funded resources or use … Read more about Self-Insurance for Companies With Multiple Cleanup Liabilities Presents Financial and Environmental Risks for EPA and the Public
Take Homes
An audit of the VA Choice program estimated that approximately 224,000 of the 2 million payments (12 percent) over a 2 period were improper and resulted in $39 million in overpayments.
FEMA Faces Significant Challenges Ensuring Recipients Properly Manage Disaster Funds
After the devastating effects of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria this year, FEMA is expected to obligate billions in relief aid. FEMA identified $31.5 billion in estimated damages, but faces significant challenges in ensuring its grant recipients properly manage FEMA disaster funds. This … Read more about FEMA Faces Significant Challenges Ensuring Recipients Properly Manage Disaster Funds
Health Insurance Exchanges: Changes in Plans and Premiums Effect Automatic Re-enrollment Consumers’ Costs
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), consumers choose health care plans and premiums through the exchanges. The plan they select also determines the tax credit consumers receive. In addition, during open enrollment, consumers who do not actively select a new or different … Read more about Health Insurance Exchanges: Changes in Plans and Premiums Effect Automatic Re-enrollment Consumers’ Costs
VHA: Reduced Efficiency Could Cost Taxpayers Almost $900 million Over The Next Five Years
Medicare and Medicaid: CMS Needs to Fully Align Its Antifraud Efforts with the Fraud Risk Framework
"CMS, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provides health coverage for over 145 million Americans through its four principal programs, with annual outlays of about $1.1 trillion. GAO has designated the two largest programs, Medicare and Medicaid, as high risk partly … Read more about Medicare and Medicaid: CMS Needs to Fully Align Its Antifraud Efforts with the Fraud Risk Framework