Nonilex4d ago

AP Exclusive: #Trump admin admits it used faulty numbers in its #NewYork #Medicaid #health “fraud” accusations

Trump’s administration this week acknowledged it made a significant error in figures it used to help justify a fraud probe into New York’s Medicaid program, a glaring mistake that undercuts a federal campaign to tackle waste, mostly in #Democratic-led #states.

#idiocracy #kakistocracy #RevengePolitics #law #HealthInsurance
https://apnews.com/article/new-york-medicaid-fraud-dr-oz-trump-342285a3c5d5b71f36ce3f3c77ec72c5

Trump administration admits error in New York health care fraud probe

President Donald Trump's administration has admitted to a major error in data used to justify a federal fraud probe into New York’s Medicaid program. Health analysts are now questioning the accuracy of other anti-fraud efforts nationwide, mostly in Democratic-led states. The Republican administration initially claimed 5 million New Yorkers used personal care services, but the real number was 450,000. A spokesperson for New York's Democratic governor says the initial claim by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services was "patently false.” The misrepresentation was among a few advocates say CMS made about New York's program. Analysts warn the Trump administration's approach could politicize a conversation that should focus on collaboration and effective solutions.

AP News
Show threadNonilex4d ago

The error, which the #Trump admin admitted first to The AP, prompted #health analysts to question how many of the #Republican admin’s sweeping anti-“fraud” efforts around the country were based on faulty findings. One of a few mischaracterizations it made about #NewYork’s #Medicaid program, it also reflected a common criticism that’s been made of Trump’s second admin — that it tends to attack first & confirm the facts later.

#idiocracy #kakistocracy #RevengePolitics #law #HealthInsurance

Show threadNonilex4d ago

“These numbers could have been cleared up in a phone call, so it’s really slapdash,” said Fiscal Policy Institute senior #health #policy adviser Michael Kinnucan, whose recent analysis called attention to the #Trump admin’s inaccurate claim.

The mistake appeared in comments made last month by Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for #Medicare & #Medicaid Services, in a social media video & in a letter to #NewYork’s #Democratic governor announcing the “fraud”investigation.

#law

Show threadNonilex4d ago

#DrOz claimed that New York’s #Medicaid program last year provided some 5 million people with personal care services, which assist people in need with basic activities like bathing, grooming & meal preparation. That would add up to nearly ¾ of the state’s 6.8 million Medicaid enrollees.

“That level of utilization is unheard of,” Oz said in the video, adding in his post that #NewYork needs to “come clean about its Medicaid program.”

#Trump #idiocracy #kakistocracy #law #HealthInsurance

Show threadNonilex

But the real number of New Yorkers who used those services last year was about 450k, or between 6% & 7% of total enrollees, #CMS spox Chris Krepich told the AP. He said the agency misidentified New York’s approach to applying billing codes & had since refined its methodology.

“CMS is committed to ensuring its analyses fully reflect state-specific billing practices & will continue to work closely with #NewYork to validate data & strengthen program integrity oversight,” he said in an email.

Apr 10 at 10:21pmWeb
Show threadNonilex4d ago

Krepich said the probe was ongoing as the #Trump admin still has concerns with #NewYork’s oversight of personal care services & the #Medicaid program…. #CMS claimed there were other flags about New York’s program, including that it spends more per beneficiary & per resident than the average state, has high personal care spending & employs so many personal care aides that the job category is now the largest in the state.

#idiocracy #kakistocracy #RevengePolitics #law #HealthInsurance

Show threadNonilex4d ago

#Health analysts said the state’s high spending reflected both high #costs for #services in #NewYork & a policy choice to provide robust at-home care. Cadence Acquaviva, snr public information officer for the New York Dept of Health, called Oz’s initial mischaracterizations “a targeted attempt to obscure the facts.”

“New York State remains committed to protecting & preserving vital #Medicaid programs that deliver high-quality services to New Yorkers who depend on them,” she said.

#Trump #law

Show threadNonilex3d ago

In a statement, spox for Gov #KathyHochul said, “The initial claim by #CMS was patently false, & we are glad they now admit it.”

“Governor Hochul has been clear that #NewYork has zero tolerance for waste, fraud & abuse in #Medicaid, or any other state programs, & will continue her efforts to root out bad actors, protect taxpayer dollars, & safeguard the critical programs that New Yorkers rely on,” spox Nicolette Simmonds said.

#Trump #idiocracy #RevengePolitics #law #HealthInsurance

Show threadHari Seldon's dead hand3d ago
@Nonilex
50% of states spend more than the average. 🤔