CHARLESTON — The state's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is set to be transferred from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to the West Virginia Attorney General's Office on Oct. 1.
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said he expects the impending transfer will strengthen the state's fight against fraud, waste and abuse.
The transfer will bring the state in line with more than 40 other states.
"The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources remains committed to working with the Attorney General’s Office to ensure a successful transition of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit," Jolynn Marra, Interim Inspector General, said in a statement provided to The West Virginia Record.
Morrisey said he believes it will be a smooth transition.
"There has been a tremendous amount of hard work on behalf of taxpayers to make for a smooth transition," Morrisey said in a statement provided to The West Virginia Record. "Our goal is to ensure the unit continues its excellent work and to enhance its ability to root out even more fraud, waste and abuse in hopes that we can solidify the Medicaid program for those who legitimately rely upon it as a safety net."
Morrisey's office has been working toward a seamless transition of the unit.
The transition includes technology improvements, an increase in the state’s federal grant and security enhancements to bolster the unit’s protection of sensitive data.
Morrisey believes the move will save significant monies and yield greater efficiency and effectiveness to the benefit of the taxpayer.
Senate Bill 318, which was passed earlier this year, made the transfer of the unit possible.
Morrisey's office also fights Social Security disability fraud and that unit alone has generated more than $18.5 million since its inception.
The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit is currently run by Director Michael Malone and Deputy Director John C. Blair.
The unit is certified annually by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to conduct statewide investigations of health care providers that defraud the Medicaid program.
The unit also investigates complaints of criminal abuse or neglect in any health care facility, as well as allegations of misappropriation of patients' private funds in Medicaid facilities.