Gov. Bill Walker’s administration is proposing a renewed focus on cracking down on waste and fraud in Alaska’s Medicaid program.
It is part of a broader, revamped bill aimed at curbing and containing costs within Medicaid.
The bill would set up civil penalties for false claims and allow citizens who bring cases to the attorney general’s attention to receive a portion of the proceeds from a settlement if a case is pursued.
State health commissioner Valerie Davidson says this would “exponentially” increase the number of those looking for fraud.
The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday heard the bill and another Medicaid reform bill, from Sen. Pete Kelly, which also includes fraud prevention measures.
Both were referred to a special subcommittee for review and recommendations for Senate Finance to consider.
