Accountability + Integrity + Care
Myers and Stauffer provides meaningful careers where our associates know their work truly makes a difference in the lives of others. This month, Ann Li (manager, Richmond) shares her perspective and her insight into the direct connection between the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars she and her team help ensure, the availability of Medicaid programs, and the quality of care received by the fragile people who depend on long-term care facilities.
“Medicaid is the single largest payer of long-term care facilities in the United States. With billions of dollars spent by state Medicaid agencies each year on caring for our aging populations, part of our responsibility as cost-report compliance auditors is to ensure the providers are spending taxpayer dollars on appropriate and necessary products and services in compliance with the state and federal regulatory policies. Our focus is on providing our seniors with the highest-quality care when using the state Medicaid dollars and not wasting resources on inappropriate and extravagant purchases.
Examples of unnecessary spending by providers are numerous. One is a nursing facility that was billing Medicaid for privately flying their executives to Las Vegas for employee functions. Another example is an institutional-care facility for people with intellectual disabilities for taking one of their residents and multiple employees on an international cruise as an enrichment trip.
Medicaid is such an essential program for all of us, but especially for our most fragile and needy populations. Inappropriate or fraudulent spending of Medicaid dollars may threaten the program and reduce care for people who are dependent on long-term care facilities. It is vital to ensure this Medicaid program is available now and well into the future for those who need it.” Ann Li, CPA (Manager, Richmond)
Get to Know Ann
Ann has approximately 10 years of experience performing and supervising audits of Virginia Medicaid and Medicare cost reports, including nursing facilities, rehabilitation agencies, federally qualified health centers/rural health clinics, hospitals, and intermediate-care facilities. She coordinates and performs complex Medicaid audits to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations, Virginia state laws, regulations, and standards and requirements and guidance of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She has participated in the Virginia Medicaid appeals process and in the overall resolution of disputes arising from adjustments to cost reports. Ann has assisted in the review of cost settlements and rate setting for the Virginia Medicaid program, and she is an active participant and reviewer for the Virginia Medicaid Patient Fund accounts and program integrity audits.
Positive Impacts
Myers and Stauffer is proud to help our clients serve those who are most vulnerable. Our staff feel empowered to know that their hard work and dedication each day makes a difference. We believe it and so do the millions of individuals helped by the clients we serve. We will release new stories each month highlighting associates and their stories. Follow along with our LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for more information.
