December 17, 2018 Audit of prior Medicaid eligibility system supports pending utilization of tax data

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dec 17, 2018 - Last month, the Louisiana Department of Health unveiled a new Medicaid eligibility and enrollment system that uses the most up-to-date technology to ensure accurate eligibility determinations. This new system addresses many of the limitations of the former, outdated system as identified by the Department, the Legislature and the auditor.

However, an audit released today by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor reviewed 60 Medicaid case files and concluded the old system – one that is no longer in use – is inadequate.

“The problems uncovered by the auditor in this report should not surprise him or anyone else that follows our agency and Medicaid eligibility, as the findings are about a system that is no longer in use,” said Dr. Rebekah Gee, secretary of the Department of Health.

The findings in the audit released today suggest that Medicaid eligibility determinations, made using the old system, would be more accurate if the agency reviewed federal income tax data before determining if someone meets financial eligibility requirements.

Although the old system did not access these important financial records, the new system connects to 20 different data sources to verify eligibility.  In addition, the new system will connect to the federal income tax data system starting in May 2019.

“This new system is designed to address many of the shortcomings that both the Department and the auditor have identified over the past several years,” concluded Gee. “We appreciate the auditor helping to identify areas for improvement, and we are pleased that we are already working to resolve what was identified.”