On May 24th, 2021, the new SAM.gov website was officially published. These major changes came about when beta.SAM.gov merged with SAM.gov to create a single website.[1] The initial goal of these changes was to further the capability and functionality of the website while improving the user experience. However, despite the project’s intent to improve… more>>
1. What is the NPDBThe National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) was created as part of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 (HCQIA). This legislation was intended, in part, to establish a database of medical malpractice payments, State licensure board actions, negative peer reviews / clinical privilege determinations, and certain other adverse actions taken… more>>
OIG Semi-Annual Report to Congress Spring 2019(June 3, 2019) The Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently published its Semi-Annual Report to Congress covering from October 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. The OIG report focuses on the enforcement actions that were brought and the exclusions that were imposed during the past reporting period in support… more>>
New Evidence Shows the Efficiency and Benefits of Using an Internal Whistleblower Hotline System(April 4, 2019): In December of 2018 a study was conducted by Kyle Wench (George Washington University) and Stephen Stubben (University of Utah) to examine the use and extent of internal whistleblower hotline systems within publicly traded organizations. This study was the… more>>
(April 2, 2019) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), has continued its goal of enforcing its guidelines and rules upon medical providers participating in their programs. The OIG has kept pursuing its goal of protecting the integrity of its federal health care programs and their respective patients. Several… more>>
(March 1, 2019) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), has continued its goal of enforcing its guidelines and rules upon medical providers participating in their programs. The OIG has kept pursuing its goal of protecting the integrity of its federal health care programs and their respective patients. Several… more>>
Is Your Practice Being Audited by a ZPIC? Did You Know it Can Lead to an OIG Exclusion?Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPICs) are among the most aggressive program integrity entities employed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). As most healthcare providers are aware, ZPICs regularly place physician practices on prepayment review and… more>>