PROVIDENCE – The federal Department of Justice has asked for documents in connection with its investigation into possible false claims or payments associated with the Unified Health Infrastructure Project computer system, also known as UHIP, which has had problems since its September rollout.
Civil Investigative Demands were requested from the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services and Department of Administration by then U.S. Attorney Peter F. Neronha in March; they were due April 10.
“The investigation concerns the allegation that false claims for payment for services and/or false statements in support of such payments have been submitted to the U.S. government. These payments relate to services procured by the state of Rhode Island from Deloitte LLP and/or its subcontractors in connection with the establishment of health insurance exchange services under the Affordable Care Act as part of the Unified Health Infrastructure Project; these payments were funded in whole or in part by United States or its agencies,” the CID states.
Specifics about the UHIP contract were requested, as well as documentation relating to the contract dating back to January 2011.
Brenna McCabe, spokeswoman for the DOA, said the agencies are working with DOJ to provide the records requested. She said there would be no additional comment from the state offices.
The $364 million system has been plagued by long wait times and technical errors. Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s office has said Deloitte delivered a “broken system.”
Earlier this month, the R.I. Auditor General Office released its single audit report, outlining numerous issues with UHIP, from incomplete Medicaid eligibility quality control reviews to data discrepancies between the UHIP system and the state’s claims payment system, which increases the risk of duplicative payments, as well as lagging eligibility redeterminations.
