Fern5827
August 3rd 04, 08:08 PM
Occurred quite often in Nebraska. Nebraska says they are auditing now.
Article Posted: 08/03/2004 8:19:06 AM
HHSS Collections Center Brings Big Bucks Back Into State Programs
Lincoln – Almost $2 million of taxpayer’s money is making its way back into
State coffers. A special Issuance and Collections Center within the Department
of Finance and Support in the Nebraska Health and Human Services System
recovered a year’s worth of overpayments and overcharges from people and
service providers.
"This is quite a success story. These are essentially taxpayer dollars coming
back to the State of Nebraska allowing us to help more people," said HHS
Finance and Support Director, Steve Curtiss. "The funds collected are funneled
back into various state programs."
The Issuance and Collections Center began collecting food stamp overpayments in
1999 and it expanded to include childcare and foster care programs in 2003.
Currently, the center has several auditors/investigators who review hundreds of
records a month picking out billing errors, overpayments and keeping an eye out
for possible fraudulent activity.
According to Issuance and Collections Center Manager, Suzi Skinner, most of the
discrepancies fall into three categories:
Overpayments – a person receiving state services, like food stamp benefits,
gets more program money than he/she is eligible for
Billing errors - providers who bill the State for services not provided
Fraud – intentional over-billing or misrepresentation related to eligibility
If an overpayment, billing error or fraud is confirmed, an investigator
contacts the person or provider and explains the discrepancy.
"Most people/providers willingly pay the State back. However, if they don’t,
and let’s say it’s a food stamp overpayment case, the center can intercept
a person’s federal tax return. If a provider over-bills, the center will pull
money from their next payment," said Skinner.
There is an appeal process for people/providers who disagree with the State’s
findings.
More than $1.5 million of the almost $2 million collected came from food stamp
overpayments and foster care and child care facilities that over-billed the
State of Nebraska. The remainder came from other State programs like Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families, Aid to Dependent Children and Aid to the Blind
and Disabled.
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Copyright © 2002 SWNEBR.NET (Southwest Nebraska News) All Rights Reserved.
Article Posted: 08/03/2004 8:19:06 AM
HHSS Collections Center Brings Big Bucks Back Into State Programs
Lincoln – Almost $2 million of taxpayer’s money is making its way back into
State coffers. A special Issuance and Collections Center within the Department
of Finance and Support in the Nebraska Health and Human Services System
recovered a year’s worth of overpayments and overcharges from people and
service providers.
"This is quite a success story. These are essentially taxpayer dollars coming
back to the State of Nebraska allowing us to help more people," said HHS
Finance and Support Director, Steve Curtiss. "The funds collected are funneled
back into various state programs."
The Issuance and Collections Center began collecting food stamp overpayments in
1999 and it expanded to include childcare and foster care programs in 2003.
Currently, the center has several auditors/investigators who review hundreds of
records a month picking out billing errors, overpayments and keeping an eye out
for possible fraudulent activity.
According to Issuance and Collections Center Manager, Suzi Skinner, most of the
discrepancies fall into three categories:
Overpayments – a person receiving state services, like food stamp benefits,
gets more program money than he/she is eligible for
Billing errors - providers who bill the State for services not provided
Fraud – intentional over-billing or misrepresentation related to eligibility
If an overpayment, billing error or fraud is confirmed, an investigator
contacts the person or provider and explains the discrepancy.
"Most people/providers willingly pay the State back. However, if they don’t,
and let’s say it’s a food stamp overpayment case, the center can intercept
a person’s federal tax return. If a provider over-bills, the center will pull
money from their next payment," said Skinner.
There is an appeal process for people/providers who disagree with the State’s
findings.
More than $1.5 million of the almost $2 million collected came from food stamp
overpayments and foster care and child care facilities that over-billed the
State of Nebraska. The remainder came from other State programs like Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families, Aid to Dependent Children and Aid to the Blind
and Disabled.
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Copyright © 2002 SWNEBR.NET (Southwest Nebraska News) All Rights Reserved.