N.J. recovers $116 million in Medicaid fraud

New Jersey has recovered millions in improperly paid Medicaid funds during the past fiscal year.

State Comptroller Matt Boxer says a newly created audit team and sophisticated data-mining techniques led to the recovery of $116 million stemming from fraudulent activity connected to the Medicaid program.

“About half the money will go to the state budget and some of it already has. Half goes to the federal budget as well,” Boxer said. “It’s an increase over last year’s recoveries when there was a different entity doing the recoveries. We’ve increased it 31 percent since then.”

Boxer says the improper billings came from pharmacies, adult medical day-care providers, and providers of medical equipment.

He says the Medicaid program serves some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

“So for those who are trying to manipulate the program for their own benefit, we want to be sure to send a message that we’re looking over their shoulder and they will be caught,” he said.