Story perspectives

Medicaid Improper Payments to Deceased Exceed $200 Million

12/23/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Department of Health and Human Services reported that Medicaid programs made over $200 million in improper payments to deceased individuals from 2021 to 2022.
The Office of Inspector General indicated that a provision in Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill could help reduce these payments by requiring states to audit Medicaid beneficiary lists.
The report noted that improper payments are widespread across multiple states.
The Trump administration sought to classify living immigrants as deceased to revoke their Social Security numbers for immigration enforcement.

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Story summary

The Department of Health and Human Services reported that Medicaid programs made over $200 million in improper payments to deceased individuals from 2021 to 2022.
The Office of Inspector General indicated that a provision in Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill could help reduce these payments by requiring states to audit Medicaid beneficiary lists.
The report noted that improper payments are widespread across multiple states.
The Trump administration sought to classify living immigrants as deceased to revoke their Social Security numbers for immigration enforcement.