OIG Audits, Legal Actions Tally $3.4 Billion

WASHINGTON — For the six months from October 2010 through
March 2011, HHS’ Office of Inspector General took actions that are
expected to total $3.4 billion in recoveries related to
investigations, audits and other reviews, mainly of Medicare and
Medicaid. The monies include about $222 million from audits and
$3.2 billion from 349 criminal and 197 civil actions during the
period, the OIG announced last week.

Among the highlights in its tally, the OIG pointed to a Medicare Fraud Strike
Force action in February involving more than 300 special agents
in nine cities that resulted in the arrests of more than 100
defendants. The arrests included doctors, nurses, health care
company owners and others for their alleged participation in fraud
schemes involving more than $225 million in false billing.

The OIG made the announcement in conjunction with the June 1
release of its Semiannual Report to Congress.