A state audit released Thursday showed that a Lawrence County medical care provider owes the state's Medicaid program $223,251.47.

The audit of Ironton Medical Rehab Inc., was conducted at the request of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, according to a prepared press released issued by Auditor of State Betty Montgomery's office.

"Given the reality that Medicaid is consuming an ever larger portion of our state budget, we must do all we can to detect waste and abuse in order to maximize our limited resources," Montgomery said. "My office will continue to do all we can to make certain that Ohio is doing all it can to ensure only allowable expenses under the Medicaid program are funded."

The audit reviewed Medicaid payments made to IMR for rendering services to Medicaid patients from July 1,2000- June 30, 2003. Several problems were identified: improper billing for physical therapy services, billing radiologic services in excess of the allowed two units of service, billing for more x-ray views than were supported by documentation

and duplication of billings involving the same patient, the same procedure code and the same date of service.

The audit will be forwarded to ODJFS for recovery of funds. The Ironton Tribune attempted to contact IMR officials but they did not return phone calls as of press time.