State Comptroller finds that some school districts paid for health benefits for deceased or ineligible retirees and dependents
Source: Office of the State Comptroller
State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli reports that his auditors found that ten school districts in New York State paid nearly $239,000 for health insurance benefits for deceased or ineligible retirees. DiNapoli also said $117,556 had been recovered.
The audit, which covered July 1, 2008 to May 31, 2010, examined school districts with a high percentage of retirees who do not contribute toward the cost of their health insurance.
The auditors found that only two districts of those audited – Somers Central School District and Yonkers City School District – had written guidelines to ensure the accuracy and appropriateness of health insurance payments.
DiNapoli’s audit recommended that school district officials:
1. Develop written policies and procedures to periodically monitor the status of all retirees, their spouses and dependents receiving health insurance coverage; and
2. Consider establishing systems to maintain adequate information on retirees and their dependents, including social security numbers and emergency contact information, which can be used to ensure eligibility for health insurance coverage.
The Comptroller’s report is posted on the Internet at: http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/swr/retireehealth/global.pdf
Summaries of, and commentaries on, selected court and administrative decisions and related matters affecting public employers and employees in New York State in particular and in other jurisdictions in general.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE [AI] IS NOT USED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN PREPARING NYPPL SUMMARIES OF JUDICIAL AND QUASI-JUDICIAL DECISIONS
CAUTION
Subsequent court and administrative rulings, or changes to laws, rules and regulations may have modified or clarified or vacated or reversed the decisions summarized here. Accordingly, these summaries should be Shepardized® or otherwise checked to make certain that the most recent information is being considered by the reader.
THE MATERIAL ON THIS WEBSITE IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. AGAIN, CHANGES IN LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS AND NEW COURT AND ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS MAY AFFECT THE ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS LAWBLOG. THE MATERIAL PRESENTED IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE AND THE USE OF ANY MATERIAL POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE, OR CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING SUCH MATERIAL, DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.
NYPPL Blogger Harvey Randall served as Principal Attorney, New York State Department of Civil Service; Director of Personnel, SUNY Central Administration; Director of Research, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations; and Staff Judge Advocate General, New York Guard.
Consistent with the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations, the material posted to this blog is presented with the understanding that neither the publisher nor NYPPL and, or, its staff and contributors are providing legal advice to the reader and in the event legal or other expert assistance is needed, the reader is urged to seek such advice from a knowledgeable professional.
New York Public Personnel Law.
Email: publications@nycap.rr.com