Well that didn't take long. I recently posted about automated HITECH / HIPAA enforcement scenarios. These dollars were recovered under ARRA (i.e. which contained the HITECH Act but was much broader). This is NOT a recovery based on HITECH fraud, but the hounds are getting closer to where the dead bodies lie.
What we are seeing is a rise in accountability for U.S. government dollars. Is this the end of crony capitalism? The short anser is NO, but with the U.S. debt "off the charts" the game may be changing. It's a question of surival now. The U.S. government simply can't afford to be (or pretend to be) stupid any longer. It''s going to shake the money tree every chance it gets.
Don't get be wrong, I am not saying this is a bad thing. I don't subscribe to the "free market will take care of everything" school of thought when it comes to regulatory compliance. However, it really doesn't matter what I think, here I am just reporting on events the appear to be occurring somewhat underneath the radar. When the "man want his money" he tends to be persistent about getting it.
Caveat BA and CE.
Good morning to all from Washington, DC. Today OIG posts three reports and provides news about enforcement actions. As always, you can use the links provided to go directly to the new material. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Allowability of Recovery Act Costs Claimed by Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers, Inc., in St. Louis, MO, for the Period March 27, 2009, Through March 26, 2011 (A-07-11-05022) http://go.usa.gov/ru2e Costs claimed by Grace Hill Neighborhood Health Centers, Inc. (Grace Hill), in St. Louis, Missouri, under an Increased Demand for Services grant were generally allowable pursuant to applicable Federal regulations and the terms of the grant. The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded this grant to Grace Hill using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding in support of the Health Center Program. However, Grace Hill claimed unallowable costs totaling $65,000 for drawdown amounts that were not in accordance with Federal requirements and the terms of the grant and for incorrectly claimed expenditures. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Allowability of Recovery Act Costs Claimed by Primary Health Care, Inc., in Des Moines, IA, for the Period June 29, 2009, Through June 28, 2011 (A-07-11-05019) http://go.usa.gov/ruTV Costs claimed by Primary Health Care, Inc. (PHC), in Des Moines, Iowa, under a Capital Improvement Program grant were generally allowable pursuant to applicable Federal regulations and the terms of the grant. The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded this grant to PHC using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 funding in support of the Health Center Program. However, PHC claimed unallowable costs of $300 and maintained a property management system that did not comply with Federal regulations because it lacked many of the required elements of information necessary to ensure adequate and accurate accountability of Federal resources. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Recovery Act Oversight August Report http://go.usa.gov/ruTh OIG's duties under the Inspector General Act of 1978 include oversight over programs funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ September 20, 2012; U.S. Department of Justice Five Individuals Charged in Detroit for Alleged Roles in $24.7 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme http://go.usa.gov/yWn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ September 20, 2012; U.S. Department of Justice Detroit-Area Doctor Charged for Role in Alleged $40 Million Medicare Fraud Scheme http://go.usa.gov/yWn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ September 20, 2012; U.S. Attorney; District of New Jersey Fifth New Jersey Health Care Practitioner Pleads Guilty In Cash-For-Patients Scheme http://go.usa.gov/yWn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ September 19, 2012; U.S. Department of Justice Hospital Chain HCA Inc. Pays $16.5 Million to Settle False Claims Act Allegations Regarding Chattanooga, Tenn., Hospital http://go.usa.gov/yWn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ State Enforcement Actions Updated http://go.usa.gov/pqp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ That’s all we have for today. If we can be of any further assistance, please send an Email to [email protected] I hope your week has gone well and you are able to enjoy the upcoming weekend. Marc Wolfson – Office of External Affairs |
