ATLANTA – State Representative Doreen Carter (D-Lithonia) calls for a thorough investigation into duplicative Medicaid payments, particularly those involving Centene Corporation, following a recent Wall Street Journal analysis.
The analysis reported that Centene received approximately $620 million in duplicative payments nationwide between 2019 and 2021. The report also highlighted Georgia as a state with a significant rate of duplicate payments, with the state incurring $92 million in payments for individuals enrolled and receiving care elsewhere.
In a letter to Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Russel Carlson, Rep. Carter expressed her concerns about what she calls “unacceptable mismanagement of taxpayer dollars” and its impact on the integrity of Georgia’s Medicaid system.
“The systemic issues identified, including the challenge of tracking and managing beneficiaries who move between states, suggest a critical need for increased oversight and intervention,” said Rep. Carter. “We must address these duplicative payments to restore public confidence in our Medicaid system and ensure that taxpayer dollars are allocated effectively.”
Rep. Carter urges the commissioner to prioritize an investigation into Centene’s practices, focusing on their compliance with Medicaid requirements and the effectiveness of their internal controls. She is also seeking an assessment of whether additional measures are necessary to enhance accountability and oversight in the management of Medicaid funds.
“The ramifications of these issues are particularly pronounced in Georgia, where state resources need to be safeguarded to support our community’s health and well-being,” added Rep. Carter.
Rep. Carter awaits a response detailing the actions that will be taken to address these concerns.
To read the full Wall Street Journal article, please click here.
Representative Doreen Carter represents the citizens of District 93, which includes portions of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Rockdale counties. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2015 and currently serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, Education and Small Business Development committees.
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