DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 459 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Bacala
Abstract: Creates a task force on coordination of Medicaid fraud detection and prevention
initiatives and provides for purposes and duties of the task force.
Proposed law creates a six-member task force on coordination of Medicaid fraud detection and
prevention initiatives (hereafter, the "task force") within the office of the legislative auditor.
Proposed law authorizes appropriation by the legislature of monies in the Medical Assistance
Programs Fraud Detection Fund for activities of the task force.
Proposed law provides that the task force shall be composed of the following members:
(1)The attorney general or his designee.
(2)One member appointed by the attorney general who has expertise in fraud detection and
prevention.
(3)The legislative auditor or his designee.
(4)One member appointed by the legislative auditor who has expertise in fraud detection and
prevention.
(5)One member of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(6)One member of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate.
Proposed law provides that the task force shall include the following nonvoting advisory members,
and provides that these advisory members shall cooperate with and assist in the efforts of the task
force upon request of the task force chairman:
(1)One advisory member appointed by the secretary of the La. Department of Health.
(2)One advisory member appointed by the secretary of the Department of Revenue.
Proposed law provides that at its first meeting, the task force shall select one eligible member to
serve as chairman. Provides that any member except a legislator shall be eligible to serve as chairman of the task force.
Proposed law requires the task force to adopt rules of procedure and any other policies as may be
necessary to facilitate the work of the group. Authorizes the task force to form subcommittees for
examination of special topics and issues within the overall subject matter of Medicaid fraud
detection and prevention.
Proposed law provides that the purposes of the task force shall include the following:
(1)To study and evaluate on an ongoing basis the laws, rules, policies, and processes by which
the state implements Medicaid fraud detection and prevention efforts.
(2)To identify and recommend opportunities for improving coordination of Medicaid fraud
detection and prevention initiatives across state agencies and branches of state government.
(3)To identify any systemic or systemwide issues of concern within the Medicaid program with
respect to fraud, waste, and abuse.
(4)To develop recommendations for policies and procedures by which to facilitate and
implement all of the following:
(a)Random sampling of Medicaid cases to be selected for verification of enrollee
eligibility.
(b)Improvements in the Medicaid program integrity functions of the La. Department of
Health.
(c)Optimization of data mining among state-owned data sets for purposes of Medicaid
fraud detection and prevention.
(5)To make reports to the governor and to the legislature as provided in proposed law.
Proposed law provides that or before Jan. 1, 2018, and semiannually thereafter, the task force shall
prepare and submit to the governor and the legislature a report concerning the status of Medicaid
fraud detection and prevention initiatives and the status of efforts to coordinate such initiatives
across state agencies and branches of state government. Provides that the report shall include
information, analysis, and commentary related to each purpose of the task force enumerated in
proposed law, and may include any other information as the task force deems necessary or
appropriate.
Proposed law requires the attorney general to convene the task force on or before Sept. 1, 2017.
Proposed law creating and providing for the task force terminates on Aug. 1, 2018.
(Amends R.S. 46:440.1(E)(2); Adds R.S. 46:440.4-440.8) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to the
original bill:
1. Revise proposed law to create the task force within the office of the La. legislative
auditor rather than within the office of the La. attorney general.