Department of Health

Inappropriate Medicaid Payments for Recipients with Multiple Identification Numbers

The Department of Health (Department) administers the State’s Medicaid program. To obtain Medicaid benefits, individuals must first apply for benefits with their respective local social services district (local district). New York has 59 local districts which assign identification numbers to individuals eligible for Medicaid. For the three years ended December 31, 2008, we identified over $53 million in improper Medicaid payments for recipients who had multiple identification numbers. Our report contains four recommendations for improving Department oversight and local districts’ effectiveness in preventing eligible Medicaid recipient’s from receiving more than one identification number.

For a complete copy of Report 2008-S-163 click here.
For a copy of the 90-day response click here.