Medicaid Fraud Singled Out as Program Costs Approach $1 Trillion

Washington policymakers are stepping in to stem a tide of fraudulent and improper payments being made through Medicaid, which analysts say could threaten the long-term solvency of the nation’s largest health insurer.

About $50.3 billion—or 8.6% of all Medicaid payments—were made improperly last year. The Government Accountability Office estimates the Medicaid program accounted for nearly 21% of all government-wide improper payments.

Medicaid provides health coverage for approximately 76 million low-income individuals. With nationwide spending on the program projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2032, lawmakers from across the political spectrum have pushed the Biden administration to address holes in oversight ...