Each year the state spends approximately $8.5 billion on Medicaid. Of that number, an estimated 3-10 percent is spent on fraudulent claims.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Steve Conway is aimed at giving whistleblowers a tool in the fight against Medicaid fraud.

Senate Bill 6227, which received unanimous support in the senate Thursday evening, establishes a Medicaid fraud hotline which will allow those who witness fraud to report it.

“At a time when our state is working to save every penny, this is a tool that could potentially save us millions,” Conway said. “We’ve seen hotlines work very well in other departments and serve as an effective mechanism in recovering lost funds.”

The hotline will be given an initial two-year trial period.