The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) annual release of a new Work Plan both summarizes the results achieved last year and highlights new areas for examination in the next. This year’s Work Plan reported rising audit results but declining investigative results, in contrast to previous years.
In examining the new topics added to the Work Plan, two themes emerge. First, many of the new payment audits reflect OIG’s use of data mining to identify providers or suppliers who could potentially be considered “outliers” from the average use of a particular code or procedure. Data mining will also play a significant role in connection with the second theme—a notable increase in OIG’s review of significant, and some controversial, policy issues concerning changes in the country’s health care delivery system, operation of HHS programs and the effectiveness of HHS agency oversight of those changes and programs.
Based on how OIG identified new study topics, the main takeaway from the Work Plan is “know your data.” Whether the issue is Medicare claims or data reporting obligations, the OIG increasingly turns to data analytics to both generate audit or investigative leads or to study HHS program effectiveness.
To access a full analysis of the Work Plan, click here.
