If it feels like the OIG uses more re-sources to go after inappropriately billed and paid Medicare claims every year, that’s because it’s true. After raking in record recoupments in 2012, the OIG wants to step up its efforts even further, requesting $320 million in FY 2014 for overseeing Medicare and Medicaid — this represents over $82 million more than the 2012 amount.
The OIG intends to use the extra dollars for fraud prevention as well as "identifying questionable billings and reducing improper payments" in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, it says in its budget request for next year.