Why The Government Needs To Get Out Of Healthcare

CBS Local in New York is reporting today that the New York State Health Exchange gave out  $325,000 in overpayments to the deceased throughout the 2013 fiscal year.

The article reports:

Auditors said flaws in the eligibility process also resulted in New York enrolling 21 dead people for Medicaid, while continuing government-funded health coverage for 333 others who died.

The state comptroller’s office says its auditors found overpayments of $3.4 million in total for the year starting Oct. 1, 2013.

The Health Department says it’s been awaiting a new federal system to verify deaths. It confirmed 321 people cited in the audit were dead, four are still alive and it’s checking the other 29.

This might be one way to cut the cost of Medicaid–make sure the people claiming to be covered under it are alive.

The article further reports:

The NY State Health Exchange launched in Oct. 2013, but many faced confusion and other issues like lost insurance coverage and high premiums though the initial enrollment process.

The exchange was established under the Affordable Care Act in an effort to extend coverage to uninsured New Yorkers.

Medicaid now covers about 6 million New Yorkers and costs $60 million annually.

The department notes state enforcement efforts in 2011-2012 recovered $1.73 billion.

It’s time to get the government out of healthcare!