Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1.4

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 481-1.4 - Investigations division

The investigations division of the department conducts criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of fraud and misconduct. The division also conducts audits of health care facilities. Staff within the division work closely with federal, state, and local partners in identifying fraud, waste, and abuse and, where appropriate, presenting cases for criminal prosecution.

(1)Units of the division. The division is comprised of the following units.

a.Audit unit. The audit unit audits health and human services health care facilities to review and verify facility resident billing and personal allowance accounts and to determine whether state billings accurately reflect the health care facility census. The unit audits local department of human services offices to review and verify whether administrative expense claims and official receipts are in accordance with the criteria set forth in 2 CFR Part 200 and state law.

b.Economic fraud control bureau (EFCB). The economic fraud control bureau investigates recipient public assistance fraud and supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) trafficking. Division staff investigate suspected fraud and assist the department of human services to determine eligibility for public assistance. Division staff may conduct investigations relative to the administration of any other state or federal benefit assistance program. Division staff may also conduct investigations relative to the internal affairs and operations of agencies and departments within the executive branch of state government, except for institutions governed by the state board of regents.

c.Medicaid fraud control unit (MFCU). The Medicaid fraud control unit investigates allegations of fraud committed by providers against the Medicaid program as well as fraud in the administration of the Medicaid program. MFCU also investigates abuse, neglect or other crimes committed upon residents in care facilities or related programs that receive funding from the Medicaid program.

d.Public assistance debt recovery unit (PADRU). The public assistance debt recovery unit investigates and initiates collections of overpayment debts owed to the department of human services.

(2)Peace officer status. Pursuant to Iowa Code section 10A.403, investigators assigned to the division shall have the powers and authority of peace officers when acting within the scope of their responsibilities to conduct investigations as specified in Iowa Code section 10A.402(5). An investigator shall not carry a weapon to perform responsibilities as described in this subrule.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 10A.401 to 10A.403.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 481-1.4

ARC 8431B, lAB 12/30/09, effective 2/3/10

Amended by IAB April 25, 2018/Volume XL, Number 22, effective 5/30/2018

Amended by IAB February 8, 2023/Volume XLV, Number 16, effective 3/15/2023