North Dakota audit finds millions in questionable health payments

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 00:20 · Archive

A state audit of North Dakota's Department of Health and Human Services identified millions of dollars in questionable payments and oversight failures.

A state audit of North Dakota's Department of Health and Human Services, covering the two years ending June 2025, has identified seven areas of concern involving millions of dollars in questionable payments and inadequate oversight of public assistance programmes.

The audit found that more than 5,800 eligible children may have been missed by automated Summer EBT programmes, whilst some ineligible recipients received benefits due to mismatched data. Auditors also identified that $217,000 in childcare benefits went to employees who did not meet hourly work requirements, and discovered inadequate background checks for 45 in-home care providers.

Behavioural health providers received over $1.4 million through the state's Free Through Recovery and Community Connect programmes despite failing to meet participation requirements. According to the audit, many payments lacked required face-to-face engagement with participants. The department spent approximately $4.7 million on software intended to verify in-home care visits but was not using the information to monitor claim accuracy. Additionally, 95 per cent of Free Through Recovery receipts reviewed lacked evidence that a participant's financial need had been determined.

How it is being reported

• State audit reveals series of oversight issues with Health and Human ServicesA new state audit found oversight problems across several North Dakota Health and Human Services programs.Kfyrtv · 30 Oct, 23:50
• Audit finds millions in questionable payments, at ND Health and Human ServicesThe audit, covering the two-year period ending June 30, 2025, uncovered problems ranging from payments to behavioral health providers who failed to meet participation requirements to incomplete background checks for in-home care workers.Valleynewslive · 30 Oct, 12:31

In this story: North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services · North Dakota · Free Through Recovery · Community Connect

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