New York Medicaid Fraud Recoveries Fell to $31 Million in 2024 as Program Spending Rose to $70 Million

Medicaid fraud recoveries by the New York attorney general's office declined from $168 million in 2019 to $31 million in 2024, according to the office's annual reports. Republican candidate Saritha Komatireddy highlighted the figures while campaigning against incumbent Letitia James. Komatireddy said prior attorneys general posted higher totals.

Eliot Spitzer's office recovered $243.6 million in 2006. Andrew Cuomo's office recovered $113.8 million in 2007, $263.5 million in 2008 and more than $283 million in 2009, for more than $660 million across his first three years. Eric Schneiderman's office recovered more than $335 million in 2012.

Spending on the fraud recovery program rose from about $45 million in fiscal 2020 to $70 million in 2025. Komatireddy stated the office obtained eight criminal convictions in one year under James, compared with roughly 100 convictions annually in earlier periods. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Dr.

Mehmet Oz sent a letter earlier this year to Gov. Kathy Hochul requesting details on provider screening and fraud controls. New York was one of three states, along with California and Minnesota, to receive the letter.

Komatireddy pledged to add 20 criminal prosecutors to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. She said reduced enforcement raises healthcare costs for New Yorkers and forces lawmakers to seek additional tax revenue.