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Category Archives: Administration

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View the OIG HEAT Provider Compliance Training Webcast

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, False Claims Act, Fraud, Government Initiatives, Medicaid, Medicare, OIG, Reform

OIG has posted a webcast of its HEAT Provider Compliance Training.  It is 3 hours, 45 minutes long.  I will post a summary in the near future.  There is also an OIG HEAT Provider Compliance Training Website at which you can download the corresponding slides and related materials. Get Instant Updates by Email

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Government Initiatives, Reform

I came across this 1961 recording of then-private citizen Ronald Reagan speaking out against the threat of socialized medicine.  This wasn’t the first time these issues came up.  In the 1940′s, there was a similar debate when Harry S. Truman endeavored to create a national health insurance system.  It is intriguing that the debate about government’s role… Continue Reading

OIG’s HEAT Provider Compliance Training

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, CMS, DOJ, Enforcement, False Claims Act, Fraud, Government Initiatives, Medicaid, Medicare, OIG, Stark Law

Since February 2011, members of the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) and their colleagues have been presenting HEAT Provider Compliance Training across the country.  The most recent training included a live webcast with slides.  The OIG has committed to posting a link to the webcast by the end of May.  In the meantime, the slides… Continue Reading

The More Things Change — Parallels Between Clinton and Obama’s Messages

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, Government Initiatives, OIG, Reform

I was doing some research and came across something interesting.  In September 1993, there were news articles across the country like:  “Clinton Positioned to Crack Down on Fraud if Health Care Plan Passes.”  In March 2010, there were articles to the effect:  “Obama Gets Tough on Health Care Fraud.”  Just this week, we have two… Continue Reading

More About OIG’s Intensive Hospital Audits — Required Reading

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, False Claims Act, Government Initiatives, Medicare, MSP, OIG

In a previous post, OIG Has New, Intensive Hospital Compliance Initiative, I described the 4- to 6-week onsite audits that the OIG’s Office of Audit Services has initiated at several hospitals across the country.  Several readers asked for more details, so here they are.  This is another example of required reading. . . . The… Continue Reading

Interview of Tony West, Asst. Attorney General, Civil Division, DOJ

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, DOJ, Enforcement, False Claims Act, FERA, Fraud, Government Initiatives, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicare, Reform

I recently interviewed Tony West, who is the Assistant U.S. Attorney General, Civil Division, of the Department of Justice.  The Civil Division is responsible for the government’s cases involving health care fraud and challenges to the health care reform law.  He is, of course, heavily involved in the DOJ’s HEAT initiative. The interview provides insight into current government… Continue Reading

OIG Holding Individuals Accountable for Orgs’ Non-Compliance

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, Government Initiatives, OIG

The HHS-OIG has been stating for a long time that it intends to hold more individuals accountable for organizational non-compliance.  See these previous posts:  OIG Focusing on Exclusion of Individuals –Modern Healthcare , Tough New Federal Legislation re: Exclusion, and What We Can Anticipate from the OIG in the Near Future .  If there was any… Continue Reading

Senator Feels Providers’ Pain

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, False Claims Act, Government Initiatives, OIG, Reform

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Finance, delivered remarks at the opening of today’s hearing “exploring current efforts to curb fraud and abuse within the federal health care system and ensure the transparency and accountability of taxpayer dollars.”  Senator Hatch made several statements indicating that he… Continue Reading

Redouble Your Compliance Efforts Now . . . .

By Frank Sheeder on Posted in Administration, Enforcement, FERA, Government Initiatives, ICD, Implantable Cardiac Devices, Medicaid, Medicare, News, OIG, Reform, Stark Law

The health care industry is besieged by economic and political pressures. There is more uncertainty than ever before. But there is one factor that is predictable: enforcement is increasing, and it will continue. Prudent providers should consider redoubling their compliance efforts now. Here is a short summary of recent developments and current trends and themes… Continue Reading