The Changing of the Guard? The Search for a New Medicaid Inspector General

It appears that Governor Cuomo’s office is looking to replace New York State Medicaid Inspector General James C. Cox. An internet posting seeking applications for the position of the Medicaid Inspector General (MIG) was seen on Monster.com and also indeed.com.

The MIG is appointed by the Governor and is confirmed by the Senate. The posting discusses the qualifications for the position, derived from the Public Health Law, which are as follows:

The person appointed as inspector shall, upon his or her appointment, have not less than ten years professional experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise: law, provided the experience involves prosecution or some consideration of fraud; fraud investigation; and auditing.

The posting stated “[r]eporting directly to the Governor, the Medicaid Inspector General provides the highest level of direction and oversight of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) including strategic planning, organization, procedures and policies in support of the agency’s mission.

Recently, the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG)  released its 2013 Annual Report (“Report) wherein it announced that it has recovered a record $879 million in Medicaid overbillings for 2013.

For more information, please contact the author, David R. Ross, who served as Acting New York State Medicaid Inspector General under Governors Pataki and Spitzer, as well as General Counsel, Deputy Medicaid Inspector General, and Director of Audits and Investigations for the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG).

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