NJ Comptrollers office and Ocean county prosecutors office announce 90 pilot program for residents who believe they received benefits improperly to get off the programs. This is not amnesty but a chance to comply without the fear of getting arrested if they dont the investigation will continue
NJ.com In-the wake of more than two dozen arrests in Lakewood this summer for alleged public assistance fraud, the state comptroller's office was expected to announce a program this morning that would give Ocean County residents who either purposely or inadvertently received unwarranted Medicaid benefits a 90-day window to avoid criminal prosecution.
"This is not an amnesty program. This is not a 'Get of out jail free' card," Comptroller Philip Degnan told The Star-Ledger Wednesday night. "This is a chance for people to come into compliance without fear of prosecution."
Degnan said he hoped the new program would save his office the investigative muscle and prosecution costs of pursuing more criminal charges.
"Our investigations have led us to believe there is a population in Ocean County that will benefit from the program," he said. "If they decide not to, we will continue our mission" of investigating Medicaid fraud.
Statement from the VAAD "The Vaad supports any and all programs that can help improve compliance rates among the general public "We hear that some staffers in some agencies don't know the rules sufficiently, and that different staffers or different processing centers may give varying answers to similar questions presented by families seeking assistance," the statement said. "This is particularly true as health care eligibility rules have changed significantly, and the agencies may be understaffed. This can sometimes create confusion as to eligibility."
NJ.com In-the wake of more than two dozen arrests in Lakewood this summer for alleged public assistance fraud, the state comptroller's office was expected to announce a program this morning that would give Ocean County residents who either purposely or inadvertently received unwarranted Medicaid benefits a 90-day window to avoid criminal prosecution.
"This is not an amnesty program. This is not a 'Get of out jail free' card," Comptroller Philip Degnan told The Star-Ledger Wednesday night. "This is a chance for people to come into compliance without fear of prosecution."
Degnan said he hoped the new program would save his office the investigative muscle and prosecution costs of pursuing more criminal charges.
"Our investigations have led us to believe there is a population in Ocean County that will benefit from the program," he said. "If they decide not to, we will continue our mission" of investigating Medicaid fraud.
Statement from the VAAD "The Vaad supports any and all programs that can help improve compliance rates among the general public "We hear that some staffers in some agencies don't know the rules sufficiently, and that different staffers or different processing centers may give varying answers to similar questions presented by families seeking assistance," the statement said. "This is particularly true as health care eligibility rules have changed significantly, and the agencies may be understaffed. This can sometimes create confusion as to eligibility."