Computer glitch temporarily lowers payments for some Medicare recipients - JSOnline

By Stacy Forster of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Mar. 19, 2009

Where To Call

Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the state Department of Health Services at (800) 362-3002.

Madison - A computer glitch at the state Department of Health Services caused 5,000 Wisconsin Medicare recipients to be mistakenly notified they were ineligible for benefits that should have been paid.

The glitch triggered a notification to the federal Social Security Administration, which then sent letters to those individuals, telling them they would see reduced benefits. As a result of the computer problem, about 1,000 will see a $240 decrease on their next Social Security check. But they will receive a second check to make up that amount within 10 days.

The 4,000 others have their Social Security payments automatically deposited into their bank accounts and won't see any reduction in benefits, because officials were able to correct the problem in those cases.

State officials are not notifying those who were affected. Department spokesman Seth Boffeli said the Social Security Administration will instead send letters telling those recipients that they're still eligible and won't see decreased benefits, and asked the state not to do its own mailing.

That approach was criticized by lawmakers, who said the state should take responsibility for the error.....

Computer glitch temporarily lowers payments for some Medicare recipients - JSOnline

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