Overview
Operating as a division within the Office of the State Auditor, the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) is charged with investigating allegations of public assistance fraud throughout the Commonwealth. The work of BSI fraud examiners ensures taxpayer dollars used to fund Massachusetts’ public benefits programs are managed effectively so that programs are available to residents who truly need them.
Under state law, BSI’s investigative authority extends to any assistance program administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and the Division of Medical Assistance, which administers MassHealth (the state’s Medicaid program). Although the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is not included in the BSI statute, BSI also works with EEC through a Memorandum of Understanding. As a result of BSI’s investigations, public assistance fraud cases are referred to agencies for administrative action, fraudulent overpayments are recovered through civil agreements, individuals are disqualified from programs for specified periods of time, and cases are prosecuted in state and federal courts.
Pursuant to M.G.L. c.11, §17, BSI fraud examiners operate from five offices across the Commonwealth. BSI consists of three separate investigative units: the Central Processing Unit; the MassHealth, Department of Transitional Assistance, and Early Education and Care Unit; and the Data Analytics Unit. While each unit has its own specific concentration, there is extensive cross-unit collaboration, and investigations often involve overlap. BSI also participates in joint investigations and task forces with other state and federal agencies that focus on combating fraudulent activities throughout the Commonwealth.
During Quarter 3 of fiscal year 2022, BSI1 investigated a total of 1,322 cases. Of these, 96 were completed with fraud identified. Further detail regarding these 96 cases may be found below.
Summary of Investigations Completed with Fraud Identified
|
Assistance type |
Amount |
% of total |
|
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
$776,018.25 |
55.28% |
|
Medicaid |
$343,285.11 |
24.46% |
|
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC) |
$155,202.13 |
11.06% |
|
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) |
$125,676.15 |
8.95% |
|
Early Education and Childcare (EEC) |
$3,548.02 |
0.25% |
|
Grand Total |
$1,403,729.66 |
100% |
Summary of Restitution Settlements (Civil Recoveries)
|
Total |
$185,856.31 |