California Medicaid Claimed Millions for Unauthorized Immigrants

Federal watchdogs allege California improperly claimed more than $50 million in federal Medicaid funding for health services for people with unsatisfactory immigration statuses.

An audit released Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General found California’s Medicaid program used an inaccurate methodology to calculate reimbursement for services provided to noncitizens who don’t meet federal eligibility criteria for full Medicaid coverage.

Under federal rules, states can’t claim reimbursement for routine, nonemergency services provided to immigrants who aren’t lawful permanent residents, granted asylum, or are refugees. California, however, extends full-scope Medicaid coverage to this group and is ...