On February 26, the OIG will wrap up public comments on changes to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS) current safe harbor rules. While such review takes place every year, 2018 could be a year of … [Read more...]
Labs Figure Prominently in OIG’s Newest Top 10 Challenges List
Although the OIG has its flaws, lack of transparency is not among them. Exhibit A: the agency's ongoing list of top 10 management and performance challenges facing the Department of Health and Human … [Read more...]
Enforcement Trends: 5 Takeaways from OIG’s New Semiannual Report
Veteran OIG semiannual report aficionados will find little in the most recent edition to distinguish it markedly from its predecessors. But while a new administration has done little to change the … [Read more...]
Kickbacks: Does OIG Green Light of Free Product Replacements Open Door for Lab Freebies?
The OIG's aversion to offering freebies of any kind to referral sources is longstanding and well known. So the Aug. 25, 2017 Advisory Opinion clearing the way for a provider to replace spoiled … [Read more...]
Compliance Planning: OIG Switches from Semi-Annual to Monthly Work Plan Updates
When it comes to running a laboratory compliance plan, the semi-annual OIG Work Plan can be a big help to because it enables you to keep track of new enforcement initiatives and respond to emerging … [Read more...]
Enforcement Trends: Labs Get Cameo, Rather than Starring Role in OIG’s New Enforcement Report
The Office of Inspector General just published its Semiannual Report to Congress (covering Oct. 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017). It's mostly more of the same other than the fact that, for once, … [Read more...]
GAO Faults U.S. Handling of Zika Outbreak; IDs Challenges to Test Development
The US. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services was "reactive" in its handling of the Zika virus outbreak including in its preparedness, … [Read more...]
CMS, OIG Reps Address PAMA, Fraud Enforcement at ACLA Annual Meeting
At the American Clinical Laboratory Association annual meeting in Washington, D.C. March 23, representatives of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of Inspector … [Read more...]
OIG and DOJ Provide Tips for Determining Effectiveness of Compliance Programs
Labs have two new compliance tools—from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG)—focused on evaluating the effectiveness of compliance programs. The DOJ's resource … [Read more...]
OIG Fraud Alert Warns of Hotline Scammers
The OIG issued a Fraud Alert recently—but it didn't warn about improper referral arrangements or billing for medically unnecessary testing. It was a warning that scammers are representing themselves … [Read more...]