Ever Wondered Why Medicaid Fraud In Child Welfare Flourishes In Kansas?

Did you ever wonder why Medicaid fraud in child welfare flourishes in Kansas?

Well, wonder no more!

Kansas Attorney General has finally decided to fill the position of Medicaid Inspector General, vacant since 2011.

A legislative interim committee in 2005 first recommended establishment of an Inspector General’s Office to audit and investigate operations of the Kansas Medicaid program. In 2007, the Legislature created the Office of Inspector General, which initially was attached to the Kansas Health Policy Authority. After the KHPA was abolished in 2011, the inspector general was moved to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Since then, efforts to hire and retain an inspector general have had little success.

Need a job?

Division: Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG)
Position Type: Unclassified (At-Will), Full-Time, Exempt, Benefits-Eligible
Position Location: Topeka, Kansas (Shawnee County)
Compensation: $123,038 annually

Open Until Filled

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The Office of the Kansas Attorney General (OAG) is accepting applications to hire a Medicaid Inspector General.  Reporting directly to the Attorney General, the Medicaid Inspector General provides the highest level of direction and oversight of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) to include strategic planning, organization, procedures and policies in support of the OMIG’s mission to provide increased accountability, integrity and oversight of the state Medicaid program, MediKan program and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or their successor programs.

This is accomplished through performance of audits, investigations, and performance reviews of these programs.

In accordance with state law, the Medicaid Inspector General shall be appointed by the Attorney General with the advice and consent of the senate and subject to confirmation by the senate.  Appointment to the position shall serve for a term which will expire on January 15 of each year in which the whole senate is sworn in for a new term.  Consecutive reappointments are possible.

For more information, refer to 2017 Senate Bill 149 and pages 3 – 5 of the bill summary.

The OAG is an organization that values individuals who strive to work in a team environment, where a positive attitude and willingness to assist others is critical.  We seek to hire individuals who exemplify the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and professionalism.  Successful candidates must be ethical, well-organized, self-motivated, punctual and prompt.  A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail is required.

The Medicaid Inspector General’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Detection and investigation of fraud, waste, abuse and illegal acts relating directly to such programs.

• Conduct performance reviews and supervise activities to detect and investigate fraud, waste, abuse and illegal acts;
• Solicit, receive and investigate complaints;
• Audit state programs (not only KDHE and KDADS), contractors, vendors, and health care providers related to ensuring appropriate payments are made for services rendered and to the recovery of overpayments;
• Investigate fraud, waste, abuse, or illegal acts committed by clients of the programs or by consumers of services of such programs
• Monitor the adherence to the terms of any contract between a state agency (not only KDHE) and any organization with which the state agency has entered into a contract to make claims payments.  
• Keep the Attorney General apprised of efforts relative to OMIG’s mission.  Report findings of credible evidence of fraud, waste, abuse, or illegal acts found to the Attorney General.

Referral of appropriate cases for administrative action, civil action, or criminal prosecution.

• Refer to the appropriate authority or entity matters for civil and administrative enforcement actions against any individual or entity that engages in improper practices relative to such programs;  
• Make information and evidence obtained available to the appropriate officials and consult with the deputy attorney general for Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Division and other state and federal law enforcement officials for coordination of criminal investigations and prosecutions;  
• Ensure the preparation of cases, preservation of evidence, provision of testimony and support administrative hearings and other legal or administrative proceedings.   

Performing other functions necessary or appropriate to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the OMIG in accordance with federal and state law.

• Participate in the appointment of agents, investigators, assistants, and other officers and employees as may be needed for the performance of duties;
• Represent the OMIG with federal, state, and county entities and other stakeholders regarding Medicaid program integrity issues, including multi-agency investigations and prosecutions, resources, and strategic direction;    
• Oversee and direct the analysis and reporting of current organizational structure, and methods and protocols in use; consider recommendations for changes or improvements; ensure implementation of adopted ideas and monitor progress. 
• Prepare annual reports, findings and recommendations regarding the office’s investigations into reports of fraud, waste, abuse and illegal acts relating to any such programs.

Additional Duties: Additional duties may be added at any time. This announcement does not state or imply that these are the only activities to be performed. You would be expected to follow other job-related instructions and perform other job-related duties as requested.

Minimum Requirement(s):

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in business administration, business management, health care management, or related field(s).  
• The Medicaid Inspector General must possess:

1. experience with professional standards that relate to the fields of auditing and investigations in government
2. demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities and experience in conducting audits or investigations and shall be familiar with the programs subject to oversight by the OMIG
3. at time of appointment, or obtain within one (1) year after appointment, certification as a certified inspector general from a national organization that provides training to inspectors general
4. excellent verbal and written communication skills

Preferred Requirement(s):

• Lawyer with government or private sector performance auditing and accountability experience or a qualified professional with extensive experience in those same areas.

Travel: You would travel to locations required to competently and diligently discharge the assigned duties. Occasional in-state travel and out-of-state travel is required.  A valid driver's license is required when operating a state vehicle, a private vehicle, or a rental vehicle for the benefit of the State.

How to Apply: The application process has 3 required steps:

1. Register by completing the online Personal Data Form.  NOTE: Skip this step if you already have an Applicant ID number.
2. Complete the online State of Kansas Application Form.  Select Attorney General and submit.
3. E-mail the following additional required documents to careers@ag.ks.gov:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate

Include the job requisition number and your last name in the subject line. Your application will be considered incomplete and you may be found ineligible if you fail to submit all required documentation by the closing date indicated.

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate Required: Each applicant is required to obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue website at https://www.ksrevenue.org/taxclearance.html.  A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account follows all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. All applicants, including current state employees, are responsible for submitting a valid certificate with all other application materials to the hiring agency. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact (785) 296-3199.

Other Requirements: As a condition of employment, we require a pre-employment screening process to include a criminal history records check and reference check of past and present employers. The screening process will be waived for current OAG personnel who have previously completed the screening requirements.

Recruiter Contact:  Deann Tiede    Phone: (785) 296-3716; Email: careers@ag.ks.gov

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