A key component of OIG's mission is to detect and root out fraud in Federal health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. Fraud diverts scarce resources meant to pay for the care of patients and other beneficiaries into the pockets of fraudsters. Not only does fraud increase costs for vital health and human services, but it also can potentially harm beneficiaries, including Medicare and Medicaid patients.
This section details OIG's efforts to curb fraud, which include:
- Conducting criminal, civil, and administrative investigations of fraud and misconduct related to HHS programs, operations, and beneficiaries.
- Using state-of-the-art tools and technology in investigations and audits around the country.
- Imposing program exclusions and civil monetary penalties on health care providers because of criminal conduct such as fraud or other wrongdoing;
- Negotiating global settlements in cases arising under the civil False Claims Act, developing and monitoring corporate integrity agreements, and developing compliance program guidance.
