The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) Semi-Annual Report to Congress announced expected recoveries of $2.2 billion for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2008 as a result of efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and other HHS programs. Approximately half of that amount represented audit-related recoveries; the other half consisted of investigation-related recoveries.
Enforcement activities. Also during the reporting period, from October 1, 2007, through March 31, 2008, the OIG reported: (1) exclusions of 1,291 individuals and entities for fraud and abuse involving federal health care programs; (2) 293 criminal prosecutions for crimes against HHS programs, and (3) 142 civil actions, including False Claims Act cases, unjust enrichment suits, civil money penalties law settlements, and administrative recoveries related to provider self disclosure matters.
Areas of focus, accomplishment. Areas of recent focus for the OIG have included: oversight of Medicare Part D; public health emergency preparedness and response; oversight of food, drug and medical device safety; integrity of information technology and systems; and ethics program oversight and enforcement.
According to HHS Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson, OIG's accomplishments reflect a robust oversight agenda implemented through audits, evaluations, and compliance and enforcement activities.
OIG Semi-Annual Report, June 12, 2008.
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