Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is pressing the Texas HHS Office of the Inspector General and HHS Commission to investigate the state’s Medicaid program for fraud, according to a Jan. 16 letter.
The push comes weeks after the federal HHS froze all child care payments to Minnesota following concerns over Medicaid fraud. This month, a Maine audit also uncovered $45.6 million in improper Medicaid payments for autism-related services.
Mr. Abbott specifically requested additional reviews of Medicaid services as determined by the Trump administration, full staffing of special investigations units at Medicaid managed care organizations, further training for these units, bolstered reviews of MCO policies and additional scrutiny of autism services.
“During my tenure as governor, Texas has policed the Medicaid program and proactively combatted fraud, but we will strengthen our efforts to further protect taxpayers, preserve access for eligible Texans and maintain the integrity of Texas’ Medicaid program,” the letter said.
Mr. Abbott’s letter builds off his earlier call for investigations into child care funding fraud and desire to engage Texas in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s pilot to cut fraud in federal affordable housing programs.
The OIG and commission must give a progress update by March 15.
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