Federal Reports

This report was submitted to the Comptroller General in accordance with Section 5 of the Government Accountability Office Act of 2008. The report summarizes the activities of the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the six-month reporting period ending September 30, 2020. During the reporting period, the OIG issued two audit reports, closed four investigations and initiated two additional investigations. The OIG processed 56 hotline complaints, many of which were referred to other OIGs for action because the matters involved were within their jurisdictions. The OIG also initiated five proactive inquiries based upon traditional areas of vulnerability that cut across agencies and core administrative functions and closed two inquiries.The OIG remained active in the GAO and OIG communities by briefing new GAO employees on its audit and investigative missions, and participating in committees and working groups of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, including those related to the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee. Details of these activities and other accomplishments are provided in the report.

Under the home health prospective payment system (PPS), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services pays home health agencies (HHAs) a standardized payment for each 60-day episode of care that a beneficiary receives. The PPS payment covers intermittent skilled nursing and home health aide visits, therapy (physical, occupational, and speech-language pathology), medical social services, and medical supplies.Our prior audits of home health services identified significant overpayments to HHAs. These overpayments were largely the result of HHAs improperly billing for services to beneficiaries who were not confined to the home (homebound) or were not in need of skilled services.Our objective was to determine whether Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey Home Care and Hospice, Inc., (VNA of Central Jersey) complied with Medicare requirements for billing home health services on selected types of claims.

As required by FISMA, OIG reviewed USDA’s ongoing efforts to improve its information technology security program and practices during FY 2020.

This report was issued in conjunction with the Office of Inspector General for the Railroad Retirement Board's Semiannual Report to the Congress. It was incorporated by reference in the corresponding Semiannual Report, which is available at the link below.