Iowa Medicaid fraud unit reports 37 convictions, calls for more use of False Claims Act – KTIV

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — The head of Iowa’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit said his team secured 37 fraud convictions and recovered $3.9 million during the previous fiscal year, but said more could be done.

The update came during the third meeting of the newly formed Iowa Medicaid Fraud Elimination Task Force.

Jeremy Ingram, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, said Iowa’s nine-member unit is one of the smallest in the country, costing $1.3 million.

Director calls for more collaboration

Ingram said the state should be enforcing the Civil False Claims Act more to reduce Medicaid fraud. He said those cases could bring more money back to the state.

“It is imperative that the Iowa Medicaid fraud control unit, Iowa Medicaid, and managed care organizations continue to collaborate to increase and enhance fraud referrals, streamline the flow of fraud tips to…