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STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE CHAMBERS HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106 |
M. Jodi Rell Governor |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 26, 2010
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Contact: 860-524-7313
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Gov. Rell: State’s ‘Bill Collector’
Brings in More Than $1.2 Billion This Fiscal Year
Department of Administrative Services (DAS)
Records 2nd Straight Year of $1 Billion-Plus Revenues
Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS) posted near record-breaking collection revenues for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, taking in more than $1.2 billion in claims and reimbursements owed to the State of Connecticut.
“It is our responsibility and our legal obligation to collect every cent that is due to the state and our taxpayers,” Governor Rell said. “I want to commend the Collections Services staff of DAS for always looking for more aggressive and effective ways to pursue this revenue, particularly as we are facing a difficult and serious economic climate.”
DAS Commissioner Martin Anderson said the agency generated more than $1.2 billion in paid claims, breaking the billion dollar ceiling for the second year in a row.
DAS generates collection revenue by:
· Billing and collecting for services provided by the Departments of Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Children and Families whose facilities and programs span the state
· Providing billing and collection services for the School Based Child Health and Birth to Three programs
· Administering trust accounts on behalf of individuals residing in state facilities
· Providing claim-processing services for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs
· Intercepting tax refunds and lottery winnings
· Pursuing claims and liens against personal injury settlements, decedent estates and inheritances
· Obtaining reimbursement of public assistance benefits paid by the Department of Social Services and for cost of incarceration for the Department of Correction
“We are more than just a collection agency for the State,” Anderson said. “We work closely with other state agencies to develop new revenue producing programs, and refine existing programs to adapt to an ever-changing environment.”
DAS Collection Services Director JoAnn Figueiredo credits this year’s successes to several key factors: effective collection efforts on the part of DAS employees, close partnerships with sister state agencies and new program initiatives.
“Hard work and collaboration made all the difference. We and our business partners focused on the work that has the most impact,” Figueiredo said.