Nassau County Comptroller’s Office Shuts Down Double Dippers
When staff and leadership in the Comptroller’s Payroll and Health Benefits Division became aware in late 2025 that some County retirees and/or their spouses might be receiving duplicate Medicare Reimbursement checks, an audit was immediately launched. The audit reviewed Medicare Part B reimbursement payments made to County retirees from their retirement date, as far back as 2002, through December 2025. After reviewing records for the more than 10,000 retirees and 3,600 retirees’ dependents for whom the County provides health benefits, the Comptroller’s Office determined that 94 individuals were receiving inappropriate payments.
The overpayments totaled $1,507,096.97.
“Although the 94 recipients found double dipping constitute less than 1% of our retirees, and the $1.5 million total impact on the County is less than 0.04% of the County’s $4 billion budget, I take misuse of funds very seriously,” said Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips. “To date, 39 retirees have repaid the County in full or in part and dedicated staff in my Payroll and Health Benefits Division continue to reach out to the rest of the involved retirees by phone and letters.”
As of this writing, the County has recovered $449,008.74 and efforts to recover the remainder will continue, including arranging repayment plans for retirees if necessary.
The Comptroller’s audit, published on July 15, 2026, focused on retirees who have dependents on their health insurance plan and who were eligible for Medicare (typically 65 years and older). Read the full report here.
Nassau County ensures that government retirees are consistently informed of Medicare reimbursement guidelines through multiple forms of communication. At the time of retirement, a letter and required affidavit(s) are mailed to the retiree. These documents outline Medicare reimbursement requirements, and all parties (including the retiree and any covered spouse/dependent) must complete and return the affidavit(s) to establish eligibility. A Medicare booklet published by New York State Civil Service is also mailed directly to the retiree. In addition, the reverse side of all Medicare reimbursement checks includes endorsement language (pictured here) that reiterates eligibility criteria.
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Nassau Earns Prestigious GFOA Triple Crown
Once again, Nassau County has been recognized by the esteemed Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) with the coveted Triple Crown Award for excellence in financial reporting. Nassau County has been a GFOA Triple Crown Award winner every year since the inception of the award in 2019, and for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, Nassau was the only local government in New York State to earn the Triple Crown Award. This award is bestowed on municipalities that have earned GFOA’s:
- Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Annual Comprehensive Annual Report (ACFR),
- Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Financial Reporting (PAFR Award), and
- Distinguished Budget Presentation Award,
for a single fiscal year, in this case the year ended December 31, 2024*.
The ACFR, prepared by the Comptroller’s Accounting Division, details the County’s financial position and the results of the County’s operations as measured by the financial activity of its various funds. The PAFR, also produced by the Comptroller’s Office, provides a user-friendly summary of the ACFR and the County’s finances, operations, and economy. The PAFR is written with constituents and taxpayers in mind.
“Annual financial reports are an essential element in governments’ fiscal accountability and transparency,” said Comptroller Phillips, “and preparing them is a monumental job. I am grateful for the work of every Nassau County employee who contributed to these reports and ultimately, this award.” Read more about Nassau’s Triple Crown Award here.
*Reports for fiscal year 2024 are produced in 2025; GFOA announced the winners in 2026.
 Pictured, left to right: Lisa Tsikouras, CPA, Nassau County Director of Accounting; Elaine Phillips, Nassau County Comptroller; Elizabeth (Betsy) Hill, Deputy Comptroller for Accounting, with the County’s GFOA Awards.
Veterans Valor Food Drive & Walk
Join us for a great cause on August 8th when we take a 1/2-mile community walk around Salisbury Lake in Eisenhower Park and help support local veterans through a food drive benefiting the Vet Mart Pantry in East Meadow.
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 Co-hosted by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips, New York State Senator Steve Rhoads and the Nassau County Veterans Service Agency.
Click here to register!
https://app.nassaucountyny.gov/comptroller/veterans-food-drive-walk/
Admission = one non-perishable food item per participant
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