State officials have launched a new effort to catch fraud in state public assistance programs. A hotline through the state Department of Health Services will allow members of the public to report possible fraud or waste going on in those programs, with a newly created Office of Inspector General following up on the claims.
Alan White, who heads the Inspector General’s office, says he does not believe there’s widespread fraud going on in those types of programs. However, he says there is likely quite a bit, based on a number of calls already received by his office since the hotline went up last week.
AUDIO: Alan White (:20)
White says the biggest potential areas for abuse and fraud probably involve Medicaid providers and food share benefits, either by individuals or those involved in black market schemes and organized crime.
The hot line is available at 1-877-865-3432.
John Colbert, WIBA
