NJ flunks Medicaid data security audit

A new audit has concluded that New Jersey has not put adequate security measures in place to protect sensitive Medicaid program data. The review, conducted by the New Jersey Office of the State Auditor, concluded that the program isn't monitoring access to data such as Social Security and tax identification numbers, DEA numbers and birth dates. This information could be used against, not only the more than one million patients covered by the New Jersey Medicaid program, but also physicians who participate in the program. Officials with the state Department of Human Services, which runs the Medicaid program, told New Jersey legislators that employees can only access areas in which they work, which limits the systems' vulnerability. However, they admitted that they don't know which records employees view.

To learn more about the audit:
- read this Philadelphia Inquirer article

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