"The Inspector General report wasn't quite so certain that the number is in the tens of thousands, however. The report said that "at least 16,774 (and potentially as many as 39,362) deceased individuals were first enrolled and claimed by a provider after they died." The Inspector General's office could not determine "whether the remaining 22,588 deceased subscribers were first claimed before or after their deaths as the opt-out states do not report enrollment date information.""
"Carr also wrote in his response to Newsom that "payments to providers for people that died or may have died before enrollment went on for over 50 months in cases and for several months on average." The Inspector General report did say that "providers sought reimbursement for subscribers enrolled after their deaths for 1 to 54 months, with an average of 3.4 months," but didn't specify which state or states hit the 54-month mark."
The Inspector General report found at least 16,774 and potentially up to 39,362 deceased individuals were first enrolled and claimed by a provider after death, while 22,588 deceased subscribers lacked enrollment date information to determine timing. Providers sought reimbursement for subscribers enrolled after their deaths for periods ranging from 1 to 54 months, averaging 3.4 months; some claims were alleged to have continued beyond 50 months. The FCC indicated it will examine California and consider remedies. A Democratic commissioner warned that proposed rule changes could exceed necessary protections and risk excluding eligible Lifeline subscribers.
Read at Ars Technica
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