Local Official Look for Ways to Fight Medicaid Fraud

ALBANY- The New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) continues to fight Medicaid fraud while seeking to improve New York’s system. In an effort to improve communication between the OMIG and other local agencies involved in the Medicaid fraud fight, Senator David Carlucci and other legislators worked to pass legislation that allows the OMIG the ability to share information to any prosecutor who has jurisdiction, including local district attorneys.

The OMIG is currently only required to refer cases to the Deputy Attorney General for Medicaid Fraud. This keeps local District Attorneys out of the process and prevents them from prosecuting Medicaid fraud cases in their jurisdictions.

This legislation clarifies the law to allow for a referral to local jurisdictions to give greater cooperation in Medicaid investigations.

Senator David Carlucci said, “It is inexplicable that our local district attorney’s are barred from prosecuting crimes that take place within their county. This legislation will improve communication and cooperation with the State to increase our ability to fight fraud and save taxpayer money.”

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Zugibe said, “Here in Rockland County we have been very aggressive going after Medicaid fraud. Working together with Senator Carlucci we passed legislation in the Senate to increase cooperation between the State and localities. This will give District Attorneys like myself additional tools to go after fraudulent cases and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.”