HHS' Office of Inspector General recovered more than $5.66 billion from healthcare providers and programs in fiscal year 2016, including about $953 million in non-HHS matters resulting from the OIG's work in areas such as Medicaid restoration, according to the OIG's Semiannual Report to Congress.
Here are five takeaways from the OIG's report.
1. In FY 2016, the OIG reported 844 criminal actions against individuals who participated in crimes against HHS programs.
2. The OIG reported 708 civil actions, including false claims and unjust enrichment lawsuits, in FY 2016.
3. The OIG reported exclusions of 3,635 individuals and entities from participation in federal healthcare programs in FY 2016.
4. The report highlighted the achievements of the Healthcare Fraud Strike Force teams, which are a key component of the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team — a program started in 2009 by HHS and the Department of Justice to combat healthcare fraud, waste and abuse.
During FY 2016, Health Care Fraud Strike Force efforts resulted in charges filed against 255 individuals or entities.
5. In June, the Health Care Fraud Strike Force led a nationwide sweep that resulted in criminal and civil charges being filed against 301 individuals, including 61 physicians, nurses and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in healthcare fraud schemes.
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