Team Converus/AML Partners a Finalist in 2019 MITRE Challenge
Converus and AML Partners teamed up to propose “Objective Eligibility Verification” technology, which allows organizations to create a shared network of applications unique to their proper-payment needs, as well as help prevent fraud, error and abuse.
Team Converus/AML Partners accepts the 2019 MITRE Challenge award. From left: Mitre VP & CTO Jay Schnitzer, Converus Director of Product Management Jim Mosher, Advisory Board of Open Financial Services Member Gerald Hayden, AML Partners CEO Frank Cummings, ARC Lite Innovation President Daniel Bingham,
BestIT CEO Harry Curtin, and Mitre S&T Analyst Duane Blackburn.
LEHI, Utah – March 15, 2019 –Team Converus/AML Partners was one of four finalists in the 2019 MITRE Challenge on Strengthening Eligibility Verification for Federal Benefits Programs. Twenty-nine companies entered their ideas on contributing unique and innovative ideas to reduce improper government payments.
The purpose of the MITRE Challenge was to motivate creative inventors to find ground-breaking approaches to solving the problem of improper enrollment in federal benefit programs.
On March 13, the finalists gathered at the MITRE McLean, Virginia campus to share innovative approaches, comprised of a wide range of technologies — from mobile and web apps to machine learning to predictive analytics. The MITRE “Challenge Team” looked for ideas to support the government’s desire for a cross-agency solution, as well as approaches that were efficient, user-friendly, and protective of individuals’ privacy. Winning proposals were judged on their potential to measurably reduce improper payments.
“Ensuring the right person or entity receives the right payment at the right time is a high priority for government agencies because even a slight reduction in improper payments produces enormous savings,” said MITRE Chief Technology Officer Jay Schnitzer, MD.
Team Converus/AML Partners’ Objective Eligibility Verification technology secured one of the four finalist positions in the 2019 MITRE Challenge.
The entry from Team Converus/AML Partners was “Objective Eligibility Verification” technology, which leverages new RegTech-platform technology, cutting-edge identity-resolution methods, Application Program Interface (API) technologies, and blockchain advancements. One of the components in this entry was Converus IdentityDetect, the first browser-based identity verification technology to accurately detect fake identities in about 1-3 minutes by analyzing variations in the motor nervous system responses of examinees.
“Our concept allows government agencies to create a shared network of applications unique to their proper-payment needs,” said Converus President and CEO Todd Mickelsen. “It’s an ecosystem of eligibility data, accessible across agencies, and a ground-truth digital identity and benefits profile for each beneficiary that may be stored, updated, and accessed via blockchain — as needed and with full certitude.”
Applicant fraud or inadequate verification of eligibility to receive funds from many federal programs result in the improper payment of billions of dollars annually. An estimated 25 percent of the nearly $141 billion in 2017 improper payments occurred because agencies did not verify with certainty the eligibility of the individuals paid. The total has increased by 33 percent since 2013.
According to MITRE, it’s difficult for agencies to efficiently and cost-effectively verify the eligibility of people applying for benefits. About 25 percent of improper payments occur because agencies do not verify with certainty the eligibility of those paid.
“Our solution can be easily implemented by government agencies to help prevent fraud, error and abuse,” added Mickelsen.
AML Partners, a behavioral risk software-development and consulting firm that specializes in helping clients identify and act on customers involved in money laundering and terrorist financing, has worked with Converus on bringing IdentityDetect to the market since 2018.
MITRE Corporation works across federal, state, and local governments to tackle difficult problems that challenge the safety, stability, and well-being of the U.S. through federally funded R&D centers, as well as public-private partnerships. The organization’s mission is to discover new possibilities, create unexpected opportunities, and lead by pioneering together with others for public good to bring innovative ideas into existence in national security and the public sector.
For more information about Converus, visit: converus.com
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About Converus®
Converus provides scientifically validated credibility assessment technologies. EyeDetect® detects deception at 86-90% accuracy in 15-30 minutes by analyzing eye and other behaviors. IdentityDetect® detects falsified identities at 91% accuracy in about 1-3 minutes by analyzing subtle variations in the motor nervous system responses. These technologies help protect countries, corporations and communities from corruption, crime and threats. Converus is headquartered in Lehi, Utah, USA. Visit: www.converus.com
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Converus Press Contact: Jeff Pizzino, APR /+1 480-606-8292
