The OIG Issues its Semiannual Congressional Report

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued its Semiannual Report to Congress (Report) for Fall 2013.  The OIG reported over $5.8 billion in recoveries for fiscal year (FY) 2013, including nearly $850 million in audit receivables and about $5 billion in investigative receivables.  Other accomplishments reported for FY 2013 include prosecution of 960 criminal actions for HHS program-related crimes; 472 civil actions, including federal false claims and unjust enrichment lawsuits, civil monetary penalty settlements, and provider self-disclosure matters; and the exclusion of 3,214 individuals and entities from participation in federal health care programs.

The OIG also reported the success of the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), which is coordinated between the OIG and federal, state, and local law enforcement entities.  In FY 2013, HEAT Strike Force efforts resulted in charges filed against 274 individuals or entities, 251 criminal actions, and $333 million in investigative receivables.

The OIG’s Fall 2013 Semiannual Report to Congress is available at:

https://oig.hhs.gov/reports-and-publications/archives/semiannual/2013/SAR-F13-OS.pdf.

Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.  “Fall 2013 Semiannual Report to Congress.”  23 Dec. 2013.