OIG Collects $26 Billion in Health Care Fraud Recoveries and Savings
The Department of Health & Human Services ("HHS") Office of Inspector General ("OIG") recently reported in its Semiannual Report that for fiscal year ("FY") 2010 it expected recoveries and savings of approximately $25.9 billion, which includes $3.8 billion in investigative receivables and $1.1 billion in audit receivables. The other $21 billion included in the total amount includes various cost-saving actions supported by OIG's recommendations in audits and evaluations. The FY 2010 expected recoveries and savings were more than FY 2009, when OIG reported savings and expected recoveries of $21 billion.
In addition, OIG reported exclusions of 3,340 individuals and entities from participation in Medicare or other federal health care programs in the 2010 fiscal year. OIG initiated 647 criminal lawsuits and 378 civil lawsuits against individuals and entities for violations of health care laws and regulations.
OIG focused particularly in the Semiannual Report on the successes of its Medicare Fraud Strike Force teams, which coordinate with federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate health care fraud. The Strike Force participated in an unprecedented takedown in seven cities that resulted in charges against 94 doctors, health care company owners, executives, and others for more than $251 million in alleged false billing.
Another highlight of fraud enforcement in FY 2010 was the $520 million that AstraZeneca agreed to pay the government to settle alleged false claims violations for kickbacks it allegedly offered to doctors in connection with unapproved uses of AstraZeneca's drug Seroquel.
