Blunt pushes for anti-fraud Medicaid bill

Gov. Matt Blunt on Tuesday called on the Senate to pass Senate Bill 1210 as a way to combat Medicaid fraud, which costs the state millions of dollars each year, according to a news release from Blunt’s office.

“This was an issue that was completely ignored by previous administrations,” Blunt said in the release. “This legislation will help continue our strong efforts to fight Medicare fraud and ensure that scarce state resources are getting to those in need.”

If enacted, Missouri would be the 17th state to adopt Federal False Claims legislation, making the state eligible for federal resources to combat Medicaid fraud.

So far, in efforts to combat fraud, Blunt has directed the Department of Social Services to conduct eligibility checks before adding new people to the rolls and to annually verify that those receiving benefits are truly eligible.