OIG Efforts Expected to Recover $4.9 Billion in Improper Payments in FY 2014

Investigative and oversight efforts by the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General are expected to return $4.9 billion in improper payments to the government in fiscal year 2014, according to the OIG’s semiannual report to Congress, released Dec. 10. The expected recoveries include roughly $835 million in improper payments identified through federal health care program audits, as well as $4 billion identified through investigations, the report said. The FY 2014 expected recoveries are about $1 billion less than the expected $5.8 billion in recoveries for FY 2013. In addition to the recoveries, the OIG excluded 4,017 individuals and entities from participating in federal health care programs and reported 973 criminal actions and 533 civil actions. The report covers the period between April 1 and Sept. 30 and also includes a summary of the OIG’s accomplishments for the full fiscal year. Over the course of FY 2014, the OIG said Medicare Fraud Strike Force efforts led to indictments being filed against 228 individuals, as well as the recovery of $441 million through investigative work. Although the number of FY 2014 indictments dropped off from the 274 filed in FY 2013, the $441 million in strike force recoveries was more than $100 million higher than recoveries from FY 2013 ($330 million). Takeaway: The federal government has been largely successful in its attempts to recover improper payments made to providers.