OIG prevents fraud, waste and abuse before it happens

Through proactive efforts, the OIG prevented $44 million in potentially questionable spending during fiscal year 2021. These savings were achieved in a variety of ways, including front-end claims denials, client disqualifications, Medicaid provider exclusions, the Pharmacy Lock-In Program and WIC vendor monitoring.

Education and engagement efforts were also key to the OIG’s prevention strategy with staff members reaching out to Medicaid providers, Medicaid clients and HHS staff to raise awareness of emerging health care issues. One focal point of the OIG’s outreach was COVID-19. In response, stakeholders were invited to join information sharing sessions to discuss the agency’s COVID-19 Fraud, Waste and Abuse Initiative. Proactive efforts in fiscal year 2022 will focus on stakeholder engagement, data analytics and working with HHS to provide policy recommendations focused on reducing waste, fraud and abuse.  

Providers and clients can learn more about the OIG’s cost avoidance efforts by reading the OIG’s Quarterly Reports.