A bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to direct State medicaid fraud control units to investigate and prosecute instances of beneficiary fraud

Progress

Timeline

• Mar 24Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summary

**What it does:** This bill would require state Medicaid fraud control units to investigate and prosecute cases where Medicaid beneficiaries (patients) commit fraud, not just healthcare providers. **Who it affects:** - Medicaid beneficiaries who might be investigated for fraud - State Medicaid fraud control units that would gain new responsibilities - Taxpayers who fund the Medicaid program **What would change:** Currently, state fraud control units primarily focus on investigating healthcare providers and facilities that defraud Medicaid. This bill would expand their mandate to also go after patients who fraudulently obtain or use Medicaid benefits. Examples might include lying about income to qualify, using someone else's Medicaid card, or getting unnecessary services. **Current status:** The bill is in committee, meaning it's being reviewed but hasn't been voted on by the full Senate yet. This represents an expansion of anti-fraud enforcement to include recipients, not just providers.

How This Affects You