The New York Department of Health paid out more than $1.5 billion in improper Medicaid payments due to a billing system error.
Reports by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli found a number of claims were paid without an appropriate National Provider Identifier.
That number ensures the provider is properly qualified.
DiNapoli said the e-Med-NY system that processes Medicaid claims is to blame. State auditors found $57 million dollars in payments for pharmacy claims that did not contain an appropriate prescriber number. Another $19 million was paid for claims that should not be included on Medicaid.
The state’s Medicaid claim costs totaled about $70 billion last year.
