A group of lawmakers have requested the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determine how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services can identify and prevent premium tax credits or PTC fraud.
Republicans serving on the Senate and House tax panels initiated the request, specifically seeking insight regarding whether states and federal agencies are taking steps to ensure proper payments as it relates to tax credits for health coverage.
Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and House Ways and Means Ranking Member Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) forwarded the correspondence, officials noted, in the wake of a rise in federal spending fraud.
In the letter to Comptroller General of the United States Gene Dodaro, Crapo and Brady outlined concerns raised over the PTC program’s susceptibility to fraud and improper payments, noting GAO has previously issued PTC program integrity reviews and recommendations.
Officials added the legislators are seeking additional program oversight as a means of determining what manner of advanced controls are required to identify and prevent fraud, in addition to improper payments.
The lawmakers cited reports that said up to $400 billion may have been lost to international fraud rings via the unemployment insurance program. Further, concerns remain the child tax credit removing work requirements may also be susceptible to fraudulent actions.