Minnesota Fraud

Federal prosecutors say about half of the roughly $18 billion in claims paid out by Medicaid to Minnesota-run programs may have been fraudulent, and at least 14 programs have been likely exploited. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said Thursday that the scale of fraud in Minnesota outpaces that of other states and puts services at risk for people who really need them. While prosecutors typically see fraud manifest as providers overbilling, Thompson says companies have been created to provide zero services while pocketing federal funds for international travel, luxury vehicles and lavish lifestyles. He says the "magnitude cannot be overstated,” and that crime is “swamping Minnesota.”