Menu Search Account

LegiStorm

Get LegiStorm App Visit Product Demo Website
» Get LegiStorm App
» Get LegiStorm Pro Free Demo

Medicare: Program Safeguard Activities Expand, but Results Difficult to Measure

  Premium   Download PDF Now (42 pages)
Report Type Reports and Testimonies
Report Date Aug. 4, 1999
Report No. HEHS-99-165
Subject
Summary:

Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) contractors perform five main types of activity under the Medicare Integrity Program, which was established in 1996 to safeguard Medicare from fraud, waste, and abuse. The program has predictable, assured funding and HCFA's contractors are better able than before to plan and implement their safeguard strategy and efforts. HCFA has recently hired program contractors, and it is emphasizing prepayment claims reviews to promote correct claims payment and avoid the difficulty of seeking repayment from providers when claims are paid in error. HCFA has taken or plans to take corrective action to improve important areas identified by audit reports under the Chief Financial Officers Act. It is also taking seriously its responsibilities to improve program safeguard operations in response to recommendations from GAO and from the Office of the Inspector General. HCFA will be better able to measure the program's effects with more time and better data.

« Return to search Government Accountability Office reports