SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — An audit says Illinois could be overcharging thousands of nursing home residents who rely on Medicaid to pay long-term care expenses.
The report by Auditor General William Holland finds — with agreement from state officials — that the state's formula for determining eligibility is "complex, cumbersome and confusing."
One patient was overcharged $9,204.
The report Thursday says the state's Healthcare and Family Services and Human Services departments are automatically applying increases in Social Security benefits to care; federal law allows patients to give the money to spouses still living at home.
The program includes at least 57,000 residents at 750 nursing homes.
The agencies contended they are updating computer programs and that no clients have been affected.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The report by Auditor General William Holland finds — with agreement from state officials — that the state's formula for determining eligibility is "complex, cumbersome and confusing."
One patient was overcharged $9,204.
The report Thursday says the state's Healthcare and Family Services and Human Services departments are automatically applying increases in Social Security benefits to care; federal law allows patients to give the money to spouses still living at home.
The program includes at least 57,000 residents at 750 nursing homes.
The agencies contended they are updating computer programs and that no clients have been affected.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
