Pat Quinn OK’s Medicaid Fraud, Transparency Reforms

(Chicago, IL) — June 25, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today signed a bi-partisan package bills into law that will fight fraud and increase the transparency and efficiency of Illinois’ Medicaid program.

“These new laws will help increase transparency and accountability in the state’s Medicaid program and help us to root out fraud and abuse to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used wisely,” said Quinn.

Legislation, House Bill 5241, sponsored by State Senator Kirk Dillard (R-Hinsdale) and State Rep. Patrica Bellock (R-Hinsdale), allows the state to post Medicaid claims data online. The new law will provide important access to information on how taxpayer dollars are used while protecting confidentiality of personal medical data.

In addition to HB 5241, Dillard and Bellock sponsored House Bill 5242 to help reduce fraud and abuse in the Medicaid program by allowing the state to contract with third parties to conduct audits to recover funds that are paid out in error or through fraud and abuse.

Quinn also approved legislation, House Bill 5054, sponsored by State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D- Chicago) and State Rep. Karen May (D-Highwood), to streamline services and reduce costs by allowing the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to issue Medicaid cards on a permanent basis instead of monthly.

“In these tough economic times, we are all looking for ways to streamline government and make it more efficient to save precious dollars that can be better spent serving the citizens of Illinois,” said May.

All three bills passed the Illinois General Assembly unanimously. House Bills 5241 and 5242 take effect immediately, and House Bill 5054 takes effect July 1, 2011.

“As Illinois moves toward implementing national healthcare reform, it is vitally important that we take advantage of fast-paced improvements in healthcare information technology to both improve health outcomes and to increase transparency and accountability,” said HFS Director Julie Hamos.

Well, none of these are sexy or seem to be big money savers, but, hey, progress.