[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41433-41434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15349]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of Inspector General


Solicitation of Information and Recommendations for Revising the 
Compliance Program Guidance for the Hospital Industry

AGENCY: Office of Inspector General (OIG), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Federal Register notice seeks the input and 
recommendations of interested parties as the OIG revises the compliance 
program guidance (CPG) for hospitals, especially those serving 
Medicare, Medicaid and other Federal health care program beneficiaries. 
The hospital industry has experienced a number of changes since the 
first CPG was published in early 1998. Additionally, the subsequent 4 
years of compliance activity in the hospital industry has allowed the 
OIG to more fully address the various risk areas in hospital 
compliance.
    With the implementation of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective 
Payment System (OPPS), as well as other significant changes in the 
hospital industry, the OIG is reevaluating the contents of the hospital 
CPG. As part of this process, the OIG is soliciting comments, 
recommendations and other suggestions from concerned parties and 
organizations on how best to revise the hospital CPG to address 
relevant compliance issues. Specifically, the OIG seeks comments 
addressing any changes to existing risk areas, and introduction of any 
new risk areas related to OPPS implementation or industry changes.

DATES: To assure consideration, comments must be delivered to the 
address provided below by no later than 5 p.m. on August 19, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Please mail or deliver your written comments, 
recommendations and suggestions to the following address: Department of 
Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Attention: OIG-
12-CPG, Room 5527 A, Cohen Building, 330 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC 20201.
    We do not accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission. In 
commenting, please refer to the file code OIG-12-CPG. Comments received 
timely will be available for public inspection as they are received, 
generally beginning approximately 3 weeks after publication of a 
document, in Room 5541 of the Office of Inspector General at 330 
independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201 on Monday through Friday 
of each week from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Paul M. Johnson, Office of Counsel to 
the Inspector General, (202) 619-2078; or Joel Schaer, Office of 
Counsel to the Inspector General, (202) 619-0089.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The development of compliance program 
guidances has become a major initiative of the OIG in its effort to 
engage the private health care industry in addressing and combating 
fraud and abuse. Over the past several years, the OIG has developed and 
issued compliance program guidances directed at various segments of the 
health care industry. These guidances are designed to provide clear 
direction and assistance to specific sections of the health care 
industry that are interested in addressing compliance with Federal 
health care program requirements.
    The guidances have represented the culmination of the OIG's 
suggestions on how providers can most effectively establish internal 
controls and implement monitoring procedures to identify, correct and 
prevent potentially fraudulent conduct. The suggestions contained in 
the guidances are not mandatory for providers, nor do they

[[Page 41434]]

represent an exclusive discussion of the advisable elements of a 
compliance program.
    Through this Federal Register notice, the OIG is seeking input from 
interested parties as the OIG considers revising the CPG for the 
hospital industry. The OIG will consider all comments, recommendations 
and suggestions received within the time frame indicated above. The OIG 
would appreciate specific comments, recommendations and suggestions on 
(1) risk areas for the hospital industry, and (2) aspects of the seven 
elements contained in the previous CPGs that may need to be modified in 
light of recent developments in the hospital industry and changes in 
Federal health care program systems. Detailed justifications and 
empirical data supporting any suggestions would be appreciated.
    We request that any comments, recommendations or suggestions be 
submitted in a format that address the topics outlined above in a 
concise manner, rather than in the form of a comprehensive draft 
guidance that mirrors previous CPGs.

    Dated: May 29, 2002.
Janet Rehnquist,
Inspector General.
[FR Doc. 02-15349 Filed 6-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4152-01-M