The OIG advertised that they have published its OIG Work Plan for FY 2018-2019, a 2-year frame-work for the audits, inspections, evaluations, and investigative activities planned in support of OIG’s vision, mission, and strategic goals and objectives. However, if you’re expecting to see a typical OIG Work Plan for FY 2018-2019, THINK AGAIN!
The OIG has changed their process!
They are no longer publishing an annual work plan. Now the OIG website is updated monthly to ensure that it more closely aligns with the work planning process.
The OIG Work Plan monthly update includes the addition of newly initiated work plan items, which can be found on the Recently Added Items page. Also, completed Work Plan items will be removed and recently published reports can be found on OIG’s What’s New page which is no longer grouped by industry sector. The OIG work plan is now an evolving document, which will be revised and updated, as necessary, to ensure that OIG oversight operations remain relevant, timely, and responsive to priorities.
OIG Work Plan FY 2018-2019 Criteria for identifying the activities to focus on, include:
- Goals and objectives contained in the strategic plan
- Results from organizational risk assessments
- Congressional mandates
- Availability of resources and expertise
The OIG Work Plan FY 2018 – 2019.
The OIG Work Plan sets forth various projects including OIG audits and evaluations that are underway or planned to be addressed during the fiscal year and beyond by OIG’s Office of Audit Services and Office of Evaluation and Inspections. Projects listed in the Work Plan span the Department and include the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and public health agencies.
OIG also plans work related to issues that cut across departmental programs, including State and local governments’ use of Federal funds, as well as the functional areas of the Office of the Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS). Some Work Plan items reflect work that is statutorily required.
OIG Work Plan FY 2018-2019 Goals:
- Promote Positive Change
- Foster Increased Accountability and integrity
- Address Core Challenges
- Harness Outstanding Talent, Leadership and Effective Operations
The web-based OIG Work Plan FY 2018-2019 will continue to evolve as OIG pursues complete, accurate, and timely public updates regarding planned, ongoing, and published work.
In addition to the OIG work plan items identified in this blog, remember that other compliance and HIPAA related matters need to be integrated into your healthcare organizations operation as well. It is worth remembering that the “OIG’s approach to protecting the integrity of HHS programs has four key goals: (1) to fight fraud, waste, and abuse; (2) to promote quality, safety, and value; (3) to secure HHS programs’ future; and (4) to advance excellence and innovation”.