STATE OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF THE MEDICAID INSPECTOR GENERAL
Riverview Center, 150 Broadway
Albany, New York 12204

DAVID A. PATERSON		JAMES G. SHEEHAN
GOVERNOR		MEDICAID INSPECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Wanda Fischer
April 22, 2008	518-476-3782 waf02@omig.state.ny.us

New York State's Medicaid Inspector General Releases Ambitious Work Plan for 2008-09:
Statewide Office to Investigate, Recover Fraud, Waste and Abuse Funds

Albany, NY - The New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) has released the agency’s first annual work plan, according to an announcement from Medicaid Inspector General James G. Sheehan. 

Available at the agency’s Web site (OMIG Work Plan), the work plan for State Fiscal Year 2008-09 reflects work that serves as the foundation for the state’s future efforts as the agency assures that providers meet program quality standards for Medicaid enrollees in a system free of waste, fraud, abuse and improper payments.

“Our office is expanding to accommodate the need to increase auditing, investigating, surveillance and recovery activities across New York State ,” Sheehan said. “This agency is charged with overseeing potential Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse activities of Medicaid-certified providers at all levels.  This work plan provides a roadmap for addressing these issues over the next 12 months.”

Sheehan acknowledges the efforts of New York State ’s health care providers, as well as their compliance officers, and billing and coding staff, to adhere to the rules of the Medicaid program. “We want to collaborate with providers to ensure that Medicaid enrollees have access to a quality health care system to enable them to receive appropriate services,” Sheehan emphasized. “We are committed to ensuring fairness to New York ’s providers, enrollees and taxpayers as we fulfill the work outlined in this plan.”

To receive a printed copy of the plan,
call the OMIG’s office at 518-473-3782.

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