Louisiana expands Medicaid oversight amid federal fraud crackdown

(The Center Square) — Louisiana Medicaid providers considered more vulnerable to fraud or improper billing will face more frequent state reviews under a new oversight plan from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The changes apply to provider categories LDH considers “high risk,” including durable medical equipment suppliers, home health agencies, hospice providers and personal care services providers. Some high-risk providers will now have to renew, or revalidate, their Medicaid enrollment every three years instead of every five.

The department said it will also expand provider verification, use data analysis to spot unusual billing patterns and work more closely with state and federal program integrity agencies.

“Every taxpayer dollar entrusted to Medicaid should be spent on delivering care to Louisianans who need it,” LDH Secretary Bruce Greenstein said in a statement. “The best way to protect taxpayer dollars is to put strong safeguards in place before problems occur. These hel...