JUNEAU — The head of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association says fraud and abuse provisions in a bill aimed at containing and curbing Medicaid costs could create administrative burdens for health care providers.
Becky Hultberg says provisions allowing a private citizen to bring a fraud claim against a provider and receive part of a monetary judgment could encourage frivolous lawsuits. Hultberg says providers may incur legal and administrative costs even if lawsuits don’t proceed.
She told the Senate Finance Committee her group supports the bill’s approach to payment reform and delivery system changes. She suggested the fraud and abuse provisions be handled separately.
The bill includes reform ideas from Gov. Bill Walker’s administration and Sen. Pete Kelly. Health commissioner Valerie Davidson has said she’s pleased with the bill.
