The improper payment rate government-wide declined to 3.53 percent in fiscal 2013 from 3.74 percent in fiscal 2012, the White House has announced.
In fiscal 2009, the improper payment rate was 5.42 percent. OMB credited reviews by inspectors general and expanded audits for high priority programs with helping to bring the rate down.
Improper payment rates have declined in several large programs, including Medicaid (although improper payment volume increased to $49.9, a record $14.4 billion was avoided), Medicare Advantage Part C, Unemployment Insurance, food stamps, Pell Grants, and with two Social Security programs, the White House said.
It said agencies also recovered more than $22 billion in overpayments through payment recapture audits and other methods in fiscal 2013. Legislation signed into law in January 2013 – the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act –strengthens the Administration’s “Do Not Pay” efforts, requiring all federal agencies to check the “Do Not Pay” list before issuing payments and awards.
