OIG spotlights on DME more than any other provider type

Author: Jaun Paul

Author: Jaun Paul

According to OIGs latest semiannual report to Congress, the HHS Office of Inspector General investigated durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers more than any other type in its last reporting period.

There were six OIG reports about DME fraud in the last six months. The topics ranged from wheelchair reimbursement and coding to DME used during nursing home stays to negative pressure wound therapy pump pricing. A couple of reports addressed inhalation drugs and albuterol.

As far as home health agency reports are concerned, the OIG issued two reports one on overlap of Medicare and Medicaid payment and one about Medicaid personal claims in New York City.

Two OIG reports also centered around hospices, both involving hospice care for nursing home residents. Moreover, hospitals and physicians saw four and three OIG reports in the period respectively.

Raking in the moolah: The report reads that the OIG racked up nearly $21 billion in fraud and abuse-related recoveries for the fiscal year 2009.

Sounding upbeat, Inspector General Daniel Levinson says that they continue to make rapid progress in their fight against fraud, waste, and abuse in HHS programs, particularly Medicaid and Medicare. This is being done by leveraging our audit, legal, evaluation, investigative tools as well as employing the latest in data analysis technology.

So home care providers beware. You may expect more fraud scrutiny in the times to come. And OIG is steadfast in its mission to protect the integrity of these vital programs.

About the Author:

Provides weekly digest newsware about OIG reports for healthcare, and offers advanced Learning Opportunities about DME fraud for medical coders and billers according to 2010 Work Plan.

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