Federal investigators request UHIP documents

By: Rebecca Turco

Email: rturco@abc6.com

Twitter: @RTurcoABC6

Facebook: RebeccaTurcoABC6

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Federal investigators are demanding invoices and other documents concerning UHIP, the state’s benefits system, in relation to an ongoing federal investigation.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating potential “false claims” and or “false statements” in connection with payments submitted to the U.S. government. In other words, the feds want to determine whether they were overpaid or underpaid. UHIP was funded under the Affordable Care Act.

Civil Investigative Demands were sent to the state Department of Administration and Executive Office of Health and Human Services on March 9, under then-U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha.

“Both agencies are working cooperatively with DOJ to provide the records that have been requested,” said Brenna McCabe, public information officer for the Department of Administration.

Officials are demanding all invoices relating to the state’s contract with Deloitte, the company behind UHIP, plus documents relating to any problems with implementation. The computer system has been plagued with glitches since it launched last fall, resulting in backlogs for people receiving food stamps and other benefits.

DOJ is demanding documents that date back as far back as 2011, when HealthSource RI was implemented. What isn’t clear is whether the primary focus of this investigation is the state, Deloitte, or both.

"I’m as enthusiastic as anyone to hold this vendor accountable,” Governor Gina Raimondo told ABC6 News. “We need to do even more to hold Deloitte accountable. So obviously we’ll cooperate with [investigators] and see where it goes."

House Oversight Committee Chair Patricia Serpa says she’s heard from constituents who have been overpaid and underpaid in their benefits, but she says learning the particulars from the state hasn’t been easy. "I guess the feds have come to the conclusion that we at the state level, or the administration at its level, lacks the competence to get it straightened out," Serpa said.

A spokesperson for Deloitte did not respond to a request for comment.

© WLNE-TV 2017