Supporters and opponents of the Affordable Care Act have held up Kynect, Kentucky’s online and operator-assisted way to sign-up for coverage, as a shining example of what’s right and wrong with making health insurance mandatory.
Now that open enrollment has begun, “undercover testing” from the federal government Accountability Office gives both sides ammunition.
Kynect has enrolled at least ten people who don’t exist, all of whom would receive taxpayer dollar help to pay for coverage.
The audit reported specifically, fictitious applicants provided invalid Social Security identities for Medicaid coverage. Impossible immigration document numbers were provided when immigration document numbers asked for.
The Government Accountability Office investigators made half these applications online, the other half via telephone.
Fake applicants were also able to qualify for help paying for insurance even if they already had coverage, by claiming to work for an employer whose coverage offerings failed to meet “minimum essential” standards.
Undercover investigators also tested enrollment through the “federal” marketplace in New Jersey and North Dakota. California offers an application process similar to the Commonwealth’s. It too, was tested.
The audit concluded the health care marketplace eligibility determination and enrollment process remains vulnerable to fraud.
The communications office of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services said steps to improve our website and strengthen our procedures have already been taken.
Source: WAVE
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