Governor Gary Herbert has appointed a new inspector general of Medicaid services in Utah.
The inspector is responsible for identifying fraud, waste and abuse within the Medicaid system. Utah lawmakers established the position during the 2011 legislative session, after an audit revealed that local clinics were over-billing for Medicaid services.
Governor Herbert has tapped Gene Cottrell to replace Lee Wycoff as Utah’s second official in this position. Cottrell has worked as interim manager and chief of staff in the state Office of Inspector General. Under his direction, the office recovered more than $11.5 million of taxpayer funds paid inappropriately in 2014.
Before joining the office in 2012, Cottrell served as sergeant major in the US Army, attached to 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, New York.