Federal Reports

Background checks are an important safety measure that can help protect the 9 million beneficiaries who rely on long-term-care services each year for safe, dependable care. These checks can prevent individuals with disqualifying histories (e.g., convictions for patient abuse, patient neglect, and theft from patients) from being hired to care for beneficiaries. The National Background Check Program (Program) provides grants to States to develop systems to conduct background checks of State and Federal criminal history records for prospective long-term-care employees.

OIG data analytics identified the W.T. Harris Station as having $78,368 in meter revenue refunds from January 1 through March 31, 2019, compared to $48,973 for the prior quarter (October 1 through December 31, 2018), which is a 60 percent increase based on data from the Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW). Spoiled or unused customer meter stamp refunds for the W.T. Harris Station were 85 percent of the overall amount of the meter stamp refunds in the Mid-Carolinas District for the same timeframe. This percentage ranked the highest in the Mid-Carolinas District and the second highest in the nation. The objective of this audit was to determine whether meter refunds were properly issued, supported, and processed.

Based on our data analysis, miscellaneous services at the Sturgeon Bay Post Office totaled $4,325 for fiscal year (FY) 2019, Quarter (Q) 2, which is a significant change from having no activity for FY 2018, Q2. In addition, miscellaneous services for FY 2019, Q2, at the Sturgeon Bay Post Office were the highest for the Lakeland District, or 48 percent of the district’s total of $9,022. It is unusual for one office to have such a high percentage as it relates to other offices in the same district. Our objective was to determine whether local purchases and payments made at the Sturgeon Bay Post Office for miscellaneous services were valid, properly supported, and processed.

In accordance with our annual plan, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a survey of the United States Capitol Police (USCP or Department) Continuity of Operations (COOP) Program. Our primary objectives were to gain a better understanding of the USCP COOP Program and identify any areas suited for future detailed evaluations, inspections, or audits. Our scope included existing policies and procedures related to the USCP COOP Program.

Under the Medicare 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.

Previous OIG reviews found that States had improperly paid Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) capitation payments on behalf of deceased beneficiaries. We conducted a similar review of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, which administers the Medicaid program. Our objective was to determine whether Illinois made capitation payments on behalf of deceased beneficiaries.