County changes position regarding DHS billing errors

Cook County taxpayers were scheduled to be on the hook for at least $2,000 as the result of a series of billing errors by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.

As for now, that plan has changed.

The information regarding the billing error emerged Nov. 18 in a memo sent by DHS to county public health and human services departments (PHHS) across the state.

The billing errors include cash payments to people on public assistance, criminal background checks for foster care centers and improper billing for drug treatment, according to Alison McIntyre, the director of Cook County PHHS.

McIntyre shared this information with the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the PHHS Board during a meeting Tuesday, Nov. 19.

During their next meeting, which took place Dec. 17, McIntyre said the county no longer planned to pay the state for the mistake made by DHS officials.

She also spoke with WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs about this news and what comes next regarding the billing errors.