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74 Rule 9.7 Improper Payments and Penalties
Improper payments occur when MDHS makes a payment to a provider on behalf of a recipient who is ineligible for the CCPP subsidy, or if the payment was calculated in error. Improper payments can occur due to Agency Errors (AE), Unintentional Program Violations (UPV), or Intentional Program Violations (IPV). MDHS shall pursue the recoupment of UPV and IPV improper payments regardless of type.
Improper Payment Categories
Payments Made Due to Agency Error (AE)
Occurs when MDHS staff take incorrect action or fail to take an action that causes an improper payment.
Unintentional Program Violation (UPV)
Occur when a payment was made to a child care provider, on behalf of the recipient, due to a misunderstanding of policy or by an unintentional error on the part of the parent or child care provider.
Intentional Program Violation (IPV)
Occurs through an intentional act by the recipient or child care provider to misrepresent or mislead by providing false documentation or verification or intentionally omitting documentation or verification to wrongfully obtain eligibility for services or payment. Examples of an IPV include, but are not limited to:
1. Intentionally over-claiming payment for child care services provided.
2. Claiming payment for a child who no longer attends the child care facility.
3. Failing to maintain sign-in/sign-out sheets, forging sign-in/sign-out sheets.
4. Forging signatures.
5. Failing to charge co – payments.
6. Having multiple certificates for the same child
7. Providing manipulated, falsified or false documents to establish eligibility
8. Claiming reimbursement for providing child care services to a child at a child care facility location other than the one listed on the child’s certificate without receiving prior approval from MDHS and MSDH.
9. Intentional violation of CCPP Policy.
Findings and corrective action may be made by DECCD staff, the MDHS Office of Inspector General, by a court of competent jurisdiction, or by the execution of a waiver.