Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino has received a Medicaid reimbursement check for ongoing efforts in Westchester County to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program.
The check, which totals $61,401, was presented Tuesday, Nov. 23 by New York State Medicaid Inspector General James G. Sheehan for Medicaid overpayments detected and recovered as a result of a state-local collaboration.
The refund is the direct result of Westchester's participation in the County Demonstration Project, a statewide initiative begun in 2006, with the support and assistance of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC).
Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins, NYSAC President William J. Ryan (who is also a county legislator) and NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario were on hand for today's announcement.
"I am pleased to accept this check on behalf of the taxpayers of Westchester County. Medicaid is the single largest state mandated line item in our county budget and we owe it to our hardworking taxpayers and families to ensure its integrity, and this check is a result of that work," said Astorino. "This refund is evidence of Westchester County's commitment to protecting their tax dollars."
The refund is the cumulate result of audits performed jointly by the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG), the Westchester County Law Department, the Westchester County Department of Human Services, and impartial private auditing firms as part of Westchester's participation in the County Demonstration Program.
The program uses auditors from the state and the respective counties to identify provider waste and abuse. Westchester has been working closely with the state and with the county's vendor (IPRO) to identify fraud, waste and abuse. Through September, Westchester County's contractor completed 64 audits of providers. Through March, total federal, state, and local recoveries totaled nearly $3.4M.
"The County Demonstration Project is one component of New York State's major efforts to identify Medicaid waste, fraud and abuse," Sheehan said. "Through partnerships such as this one with Westchester, we are able to work with county officials to recover improper Medicaid payments. But even more importantly, this kind of cooperation helps the state to protect the integrity of the Medicaid program so that the funds are available for those in need. Westchester County residents should be pleased with the efforts of both county and state officials in monitoring Medicaid payments on behalf of the taxpayers."
The County Medicaid Demonstration Project protects the integrity of New York State's Medicaid program. Westchester County is one of 11 counties in the Program and was one of the first to sign on to participate. Currently, only two other counties—New York City and Monroe—have received refund payments for their efforts. The OMIG administers the program in conjunction with participating counties.
Jenkins added, "Our taxpayers need relief and this announcement is a step in that direction. State-county efforts to stabilize costs and recover unnecessary claims are working and must remain a priority."
"For decades, NYSAC has been working to raise awareness about the high cost of Medicaid and its impact on county taxpayers," said Acquario. "Today Westchester County's commitment to this Demonstration program has begun to pay dividends for taxpayers, and it will continue to prevent waste and abuse in the Medicaid Program and save money for Westchester County taxpayers."
"The current Medicaid system is unsustainable," said Ryan. "County leaders are calling for critical reforms that will make that program more effective for recipients and efficient for taxpayers."
The New York State Association of Counties is a bipartisan municipal association serving the counties of New York State including the City of New York. Organized in 1925, NYSAC's mission is to represent, educate and advocate for member counties and the thousands of elected and appointed county officials who serve the public.