OIG expects $21B in recoveries for FY 2009

Yesterday, the HHS Department of the Inspector General announced that by the end of fiscal year 2009, it will have collected $20.97 billion from savings and expected recoveries, which may reflect the Obama Administration's get-tough posture on Medicare fraud and waste. The announcement comes as part of the OIG's Semi-Annual Report to Congress for the six months ending Sept. 30, 2009.

Where does this money come from? In short, the total includes $16.48 billion from better uses of funds, $492 million in audit receivables, and $4 billion in investigative receivables, the agency reported.

The OIG also notes that it excluded 2,556 individuals and entities from federal healthcare programs, instituted 671 criminal actions against individuals/entities committing crimes against HHS programs, and 394 civil actions. Among the initiatives driving these accomplishments is the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team and Medicare Strike Forces focused on problem areas of the U.S.

To learn more about this report:
- read this Medicare Update piece
- read the report (.pdf)

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