Expected Recoveries Set to Exceed $1 Billion

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported in its /Semiannual Report to Congress/ that it expects to recover $1.2 billion during the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2012. That period covers October 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012.

Also during that time, the OIG excluded 1,264 individuals and entities from participation in Federal health care programs, initiated 388 criminal actions against individuals or entities that engaged in crimes against HHS programs, and pursued 164 civil actions including false claims and civil monetary penalty settlements.

Those recoveries and actions, according to the OIG, were the result of its enhanced focus on data analytics and other information technologies as “critical tools” in its fraud, waste, and abuse activities. The OIG also noted the continued success of the Medicare Fraud Strike Force, which recovered a record $51 million and filed charges against 101 individuals and entities in the first six months of FY 2012.

More information on the Medicare Fraud Strike Force is available at:
http://www.healthcentercompliance.com/medicare-fraud-strike-force-indicts-91-health-care-providers-false-billing
and
http://www.healthcentercompliance.com/administration-proposes-increase-fraud-enforcement-activities-fy-2013-budget

The full /OIG Semiannual Report to Congress/ is available at http://oig.hhs.gov/reports-and-publications/semiannual/index.asp