Auditor General Raises Concerns Over Rhode Island’s Financial Reporting Practices
Rhode Island’s Auditor General, David A. Bergantino, has expressed growing concerns regarding the state’s financial reporting practices, highlighting significant deficiencies in oversight and control. In a recent audit, Bergantino emphasized that internal controls over eligibility were not operating effectively, leading to substantial mismanagement of funds.
The audit revealed that between 2019 and 2021, Rhode Island paid over $38 million to health insurers for Medicaid recipients residing in nine other states and Puerto Rico. This misallocation was attributed to inadequate oversight by the state’s Medicaid office, which failed to ensure that benefits were limited to residents within Rhode Island. Bergantino noted that the lack of effective internal controls over eligibility was a significant concern. (wpri.com)
In response to these findings, state officials acknowledged the challenges in identifying out-of-state residents, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasized ongoing efforts to review Medicaid members’ eligibility annually and implement systems to identify members who may have moved out of state. However, questions remain about the state’s ability to recoup the misallocated funds from the managed care organizations involved.
Bergantino’s audit also highlighted broader issues within the state’s financial management. For instance, an investigation found that Rhode Island did not properly monitor $2.6 billion in federal grants, raising concerns about the state’s fiscal responsibility and the potential for federal sanctions. (golocalprov.com)
These findings underscore the need for enhanced financial oversight and accountability within Rhode Island’s state agencies to ensure taxpayer funds are managed effectively and in compliance with federal regulations.
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