Federal Reports

From the beginning of the Medicare program, beneficiaries' Medicare cards displayed Social Security numbers (SSNs), which increased beneficiaries' vulnerability to identity theft. To meet the requirements of a 2015 Federal law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) generated new randomized insurance numbers, called Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs), to replace SSNs on Medicare cards; assigned the MBIs to beneficiaries; and mailed new Medicare cards. Because deficiencies in assigning MBIs and mailing new Medicare cards could have resulted in unintended consequences, such as claim processing errors and inappropriate release of personally identifiable information, we evaluated CMS's internal controls over implementation of the new MBIs.

Ryan Taylor Minter, of Calumet City, Illinois, pleaded guilty in the Central District of Illinois to charges of wire fraud on December 20, 2019.Our investigation found that Minter participated in a scheme to defraud Amtrak and others by using stolen credit card information from at least 216 different credit or debit cards to purchase Amtrak tickets online valued at over $29,000. Minter used Amtrak’s mobile application and website to purchase the tickets and then advertised them at a discounted price on social media sites frequented by college students. As part of the plea agreement, Minter has agreed to pay restitution if so ordered by the court.Minter was previously indicted on 5 counts of wire fraud and was arrested on July 1, 2019. Minter will be sentenced at a future date.

Phát triển hướng dẫn của EPA để thu thập và truyền đạt dữ liệu về chất lượng không khí để có thể cải thiện niềm tin của công chúng vào cơ quan trong thời gian đối phó với thảm họa trong tương lai.

We have performed audits in several States in response to a congressional request concerning deaths and abuse of people with developmental disabilities living in group homes. Federal waivers permit States to furnish an array of home and community-based services to Medicaid beneficiaries with developmental disabilities so that they may live in the community and avoid institutionalization. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires States to implement an incident reporting system to protect the health and welfare of the Medicaid beneficiaries receiving waiver services.

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted this audit to evaluate the merits of a 2018 hotline complaint alleging the executive director of the Cincinnati Education and Research for Veterans Foundation (CERV), a VA-affiliated nonprofit corporation, used the CERV credit card inappropriately for personal expenses. In addition, the OIG broadly examined whether CERV had adequate controls in place for ensuring proper expenditures and whether the CERV board of directors provided adequate oversight of CERV expenditures. The audit team did not substantiate the allegation that the CERV executive director used the CERV credit card inappropriately. The team noted that some CERV financial controls appeared effective, but identified other controls that were inadequate or absent. The audit team also found the invoice review procedures of the Cincinnati VAMC Research and Development (R&D) Budget Office did not comply with VA internal controls to confirm services were performed in accordance with the agreement before approving invoices for payment. The OIG recommended the Cincinnati VAMC director ensure CERV’s board of directors establishes policies that require responsible officials to verify adequate supporting documentation before approving expenditures. The OIG also recommended the Cincinnati VAMC director make certain that CERV’s board of directors, or responsible officials, approve reimbursements to the executive director. In addition, the OIG recommended the Cincinnati VAMC director establish procedures so the R&D Budget Office staff review VA-affiliated nonprofit corporation invoices and confirm services were performed or the goods were received in accordance with Intergovernmental Personnel Act agreements prior to payment. Finally, the OIG recommended the Cincinnati VAMC director establish procedures that require the R&D Budget Office supervisor to conduct periodic reviews of VA-affiliated nonprofit corporation invoices authorized for payment by staff, as required by VA policy.