MS HB740

Creates the Medicaid and Human Services Fraud Prevention Act requiring the Division of Medicaid and Department of Human Services to jointly establish a computerized income, asset, and identity eligibility verification system to prevent fraud and waste.

Mandates verification of applicants and recipients against 23 specified databases and information sources including IRS, Social Security Administration, employment records, housing assistance data, and multi-state wage reporting systems before awarding benefits and quarterly thereafter.

Requires applicants to complete a computerized identity authentication process using knowledge-based questions before receiving benefits, with procedures accommodating non-banked or under-banked individuals.

Directs agencies to refer suspected fraud cases to the Attorney General for criminal prosecution and recovery of improper payments, and allows garnishment of wages or state income tax refunds upon conviction until fraudulently claimed benefits are recovered.

Requires implementation within 12 months and mandates quarterly reporting to the Governor and Legislature on cases reviewed, closures, prosecutions, recoveries, and system savings; directs Division of Medicaid to release public data on providers and services following Medicare precedent.