Wow!  The OIG has just launched its "Most Wanted Fugitives List".  Yes, you read that right.  The OIG now has a website where they have posted a list, complete with photos and profiles, of their most wanted individuals sought on charges of health care fraud and abuse.  The OIG is asking for the public’s help in tracking down the fugitives as the public has a stake in the fight against fraud, waste, and abuse. 

On May 20, 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the creation of a new interagency effort, the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT), to combat Medicare fraud. Holder and Sebelius also announced the expansion of Strike Force team operations to Detroit and Houston.  Medicare Fraud Strike Forces, currently in operation in South Florida and Los Angeles, fight Medicare fraud on a targeted local level.

Wisconsin FCA Passes Muster With OIG

The OIG, on November 4, 2008, found that the Wisconsin False Claims Act meets the requirements of the Deficit Reduction Act, thus entitling Wisconsin to an increase of 10 percentage points in the State medical assistance percentage with respect to any amounts recovered under a State action brought under such a law.

The state of Alabama on Nov. 3, 2008, sued CMS for what it called “illegal rulemaking” concerning a letter the agency sent to all states on October 28 setting guidelines for states to reimburse the federal government for amounts states gained from suits filed under a state Medicaid False Claims Act. In the suit, Alabama claims the requirements outlined in the letter (1) constitute illegal rulemaking in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act; (2) are in excess of CMS’ statutory authority; and (3) would violate state sovereignty.