Hartford - State Comptroller Nancy Wyman today announced that her staff recently discovered a discrepancy in the formula used to reimburse Connecticut for Medicare services - resulting in the state receiving a check for over $1 million from Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield for services provided in 1996.

Anthem, the fiscal intermediary for the federal Medicare program, applied an incorrect formula during the audit review and adjustment phase of processing Connecticut's claim. Fortunately, a conscientious Accounting Manager in the Comptroller's Budget and Financial Analysis division spotted Anthem's error.

Brought to Anthem's attention, the company forwarded a check to the State of Connecticut for $1,161,973.

While expressing her appreciation to Accounting Manager Richard Helmecki, who discovered the error, Wyman said, "I am proud to recognize excellence in our state workforce. The employees of our agency have demonstrated their skill and commitment time and again. They are deeply invested in their work not only because they are good employees, but because they are also residents of our great state. Every dollar they save through efficiency makes life a little bit easier for all taxpayers."

Wyman is the elected fiscal guardian for the State of Connecticut. In addition to her other duties, the Comptroller is responsible for administering the state's payroll; purchasing health insurance for over 165,000 state employees, retirees and their families; and processing tens of billions of dollars in transactions on the state's behalf. The office of the State Comptroller was established in 1786.

The State Comptroller appreciates input on this and other issues from residents of the state. Please feel free to contact her office by phone - (860) 702-3300; mail - OSC, 55 Elm Street, Hartford, CT 06106; or, via E-mail - osc.opinions@po.state.ct.us

Learn more about the Connecticut Comptroller's Office by calling up our Internet Home Page, at the link below.

For Immediate Release
January 28, 1999

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