THE
SURVEYOR
I SPRING 2014
PROGRAM UPDATES
WHAT IS THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
GENERAL (OIG)? The OIG was
created to ensure the integrity
of the Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS) programs.
This is accomplished by preventing
fraud and abuse as well as
identifying areas of opportunity for
improvement. The OIG accomplishes
these tasks by performing audits and
investigations, as well as providing
guidance to the industry. Each year
the OIG releases a work plan that
outlines new as well as ongoing
activities that will be examined that
fiscal year.
For more information on the OIG
Work Plan go to www.oig.hhs.gov.
[
HOME HEALTH ]
One area of focus that the
OIG has identified for Home
Health agencies is to ensure
that agencies are complying
with state requirements
for conducting criminal
background checks on
applicants and employees. The
Social Security Act, §1891(a)
(5), implemented at 42 CFR
§ 484.12(a), requires Home
Health agencies to comply
with all applicable state,
federal, and local laws, and
the majority of states have
laws that prohibit certain
healthcare-related entities
from employing individuals
with criminal convictions.
State requirements not