Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer
search play2 play3 facebook twitter linkedin2 cross instagram
ASCP
  • DASHBOARD
  • STORE
  • LOGOUT
  • STORE
  • LOGIN
Menu
  • Membership
    • Membership Overview
      • Become a Member
      • Member Testimonials
    • Member Resources
      • My Dashboard
      • Manage My Education
      • Renew My Membership
      • Member Center
      • Find a Mentorship
      • Councils & Committees
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Member Rewards
      • Lab Week
      • ASCP News
      • ASCP Local Chapters
      • Cell Bowl
    • My Role
      • Pathologist
      • Laboratory Professional
      • Pathology Resident
      • Residency Program Director
      • Lab Sciences Program Director
      • Laboratory Science Student
      • Medical Student
    • Career Resources
      • Find a Job
      • Post a Job
      • Find a Pathology Fellowship
      • Post a Fellowship
      • Learn About Careers
      • Scholarships & Grants
  • Learning
    • Learning Overview
    • Certificate Programs
      • Lab Management University
      • University of Path Informatics
      • Leadership Institute
    • Live Events
      • ASCP Annual Meeting
      • Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds
      • KnowledgeLab
      • Immersion Courses
    • Resources
      • Access My Education
      • Manage CMP
      • Manage CC
    • ASCPedia
    • Online Education
      • Online CE Packages
      • LabQ
      • Case Reports
      • Resident Question Bank (RQB)
      • MLS Online Review Course
      • Webcasts
      • Patient Safety
      • Featured Education
    • Quality Improvement & Quality Assurance
      • Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
      • National Pathology Quality Registry (NPQR)
      • CheckPath
      • GYN Assessment
      • Non-GYN Assessment
      • GYN Proficiency Testing
    • Books & Journals
      • Books
      • American Journal of Clinical Pathology (AJCP)
      • Lab Medicine
      • Critical Values
    • ACCME ACCREDITATION
  • Advocacy & Outreach
    • Institute For Science Technology, and Public Policy
      • ASCP Policy Efforts
      • Choosing Wisely
      • Guidelines & Resources
      • Workforce Initiatives
      • ePolicy News
    • Center For Global Health
      • Overview
      • Communicable Diseases (HIV)
      • Non-Communicable Diseases (Cancer)
      • Volunteer with CGH
    • ASCP Foundation
      • Make a Donation
      • Providing Scholarships, Grants, & Fellowships
      • Improving Global Health
      • Increasing Lab Visibility
      • ASCP General Fund
      • Ways to Donate
    • Get Involved
      • Discover Opportunities to Get Involved
      • Foster Diversity & Inclusion
      • ASCP Councils & Committees
      • Career Ambassadors
      • Pathology Ambassadors
      • Discover Mentorships
      • Apply to Volunteer
    • Laboratory Excellence
      • Leading Laboratories
      • National Pathology Quality Registry (NPQR)
      • Awards & Recognition
      • Lab Week
    • Patient Champions
  • About ASCP
    • About ASCP
      • ASCP Mission
      • Supporting Our Members
      • ASCP Foundation
      • Community Efforts
      • Work at ASCP
    • Contact Us
  • Board of Certification
    • BOC home
    • About The BOC
      • About the BOC
        • BOC Structure
          • BOC Mission
          • BOC Partners
          • Contact BOC
          • Appeals
        • News and Reports
          • Transition of MT/MLS and MP/MB
          • Newsletters
          • BOC Awards
          • Lab Hero Interviews
          • Statistics / Practice Analyses
      • What We Do
        • Our Services
          • Certs & Quals
          • CMP
          • Verify Credentials
      • Governance
        • Committees
          • Exam Committee
          • Board of Governors
        • International Governance
          • Advisory Boards
          • Collaborating Societies
      • Volunteer
        • Volunteer Opportunities
          • Exam Committees
          • International Volunteer Opportunities
          • ASCP
    • Get Credentialed
      • Certification Exam Process
        • Get Ready to Apply
          • General Information
          • Determine Category & Route
          • Compare US & International Certification
        • Gather Documentation
          • US Certification
          • International Certication
          • US Military
        • Before Exam
          • Schedule a Date
          • Study Materials
        • Exam Day
          • The Test Center
          • The Examination
        • After Exam
          • Pass The Exam
          • Fail The Exam
      • U.S. Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
        • Technician
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Assistant, MLA(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
          • Donor Phlebotomy Technician, DPT(ASCP)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCP)
          • Cytologist, CT(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCP)
          • Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
        • Specialist
          • Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCP)
        • Additional
          • Diplomate in Laboratory Management, DLM(ASCP)
          • Pathologists’ Assistant, PA(ASCP)
          • Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology, DMLI(ASCP)
      • International Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technician
          • International Histotechnician, HT(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • International Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCPi)
          • Científico de Laboratorio Médico Internacional, CLM(ASCPi)
          • International Cytologist, CT(ASCPi)
          • International Gynecologic Cytologist, CTgyn(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCPi)
          • International Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCPi)
        • Specialist
          • International Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCPi)
      • Qualifications
        • Get Ready to Apply
          • General Information
          • Determine Category and Exam Route
          • Gather Document
        • Examination
          • Take the Exam
          • Pass the Exam
          • Fail the Exam
        • Qualifications
          • Qualification in Biorepository Science, QBRS
          • Qualification in Donor Phlebotomy, QDP
          • Qualification in Apheresis, QIA
          • Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC
          • Qualification in Laboratory Safety, QLS
      • State Licensure
        • California State Licensure
          • California State Licensure Only
          • ASCP Certification & CA Licensure
          • Already ASCP Certified
        • New York State Licensure
          • New York State Licensure Only
          • ASCP Certification & NY Licensure
          • Already ASCP Certified
        • Additional Licensure States
          • Florida
          • Hawaii
          • Louisiana
          • Montana
          • Nevada
          • North Dakota
          • Tennesee
          • West Virginia
          • Puerto Rico
    • Stay Credentialed
      • Information About CMP
        • CMP Overview
          • CMP Process
          • Synchronize Multiple Credentials
        • Credential Status
          • Mandatory
          • Voluntary
          • Expired
          • Inactive
        • How to Manage Points
          • How to Earn Points
          • How to Record Points
          • Suggested CE Providers
          • When to Submit a Declaration
          • COVID Related CE Form
      • U.S. Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
        • Technician
          • Histotechnician, HT(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Assistant, MLA(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP)
          • Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCP)
          • Apheresis Technician, AT(ASCP)
          • Donor Phlebotomy Technician, DPT(ASCP)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCP)
          • Cytologist, CT(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCP)
          • Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCP)
          • Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCP)
          • Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP)
        • Specialist
          • Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCP)
          • Hemapheresis Practioner, HP(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Laboratory Safety, SLS(ASCP)
          • Specialist in Virology, SV(ASCP)
        • Additional
          • Diplomate in Laboratory Management, DLM(ASCP)
          • Pathologists’ Assistant, PA(ASCP)
      • International Certifications
        • Highest Volume
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technician
          • International Histotechnician, HT(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)
          • International Phlebotomy Technician, PBT(ASCPi)
        • Technologist/Scientists
          • International Technologist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Chemistry, C(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Cytogenetics, CG(ASCPi)
          • Científico de Laboratorio Médico Internacional, CLM(ASCPi)
          • International Cytologist, CT(ASCPi)
          • International Gynecologic Cytologist, CTgyn(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Hematology, H(ASCPi)
          • International Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Microbiology, M(ASCPi)
          • International Technologist in Molecular Biology, MB(ASCPi)
          • International Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCPi)
        • Specialist
          • International Specialist in Blood Banking, SBB(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytology, SCT(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Cytometry, SCYM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Hematology, SH(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Microbiology, SM(ASCPi)
          • International Specialist in Molecular Biology, SMB(ASCPi)
      • Qualifications
        • Qualifications
          • Qualification in Biorepository Science, QBRS
          • Qualification in Donor Phlebotomy, QDP
          • Qualification in Apheresis, QIA
          • Qualification in Immunohistochemistry, QIHC
          • Qualification in Lab Informatics, QLI
          • Qualification in Laboratory Safety, QLS
    • Verify Credentials
      • General Information
        • Topics
          • Citation of Credentials
          • Fraudulent Use of Credentials
          • Replacement Wall Certificates
      • How to Verify
        • Options for Verifying Credentials
          • Getting Started
          • For Certification/Qualification
          • For State Licensure
          • For Visa Screen
          • Place an Order
    • Program Directors
      • Program Director Resources
        • Resources
          • BOC Resources
          • Accreditation Agencies
      • Manage Your Students
        • Tools & Reports
          • Tools for Students
          • EEV
          • PPR
      • Certification Information
        • Exams Offered
          • Certification Exams
          • HT/HTL
          • Military Certifications
          • Phlebotomy Programs
  • News
  • News
  • News Archive
  • Groups
  • Jobs
  • ASCP
  • News Archive
  • News Detail

New OIG Report Confirms that Labs Are Still on the Enforcement Radar

Publication Date: Jul 12, 2019

After a recent dip, OIG enforcement activity has seemingly rebounded, at least in terms of total recoveries. That’s the basic punchline from the newly published OIG Semiannual Report to Congress (covering Oct. 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019). The other key takeaway is that while they are no longer the main focus of OIG enforcement activity, labs are still very much on the agency’s radar. Here’s what lab managers need to know about the report.

Enforcement Activities

Year over year, enforcement activities were basically flat. The one notable exception was the 57% increase in total recoveries, $2.3 billion vs. $1.46 billion in the corresponding period last year.

Metric

FY 2018

FY 2019

Total recoveries

$1.46 billion

$2.3 billion

Criminal actions

424

421

Civil actions

349

331

Exclusions

1,588

1,293

 

Payments for Unnecessary Tests

As usual, labs figured prominently in initiatives targeting improper Medicare and Medicaid payments during the period. The Report cites the example of a case in California involving GenomeDx Biosciences, which entered in to a settlement agreement to resolve allegations that it improperly billed Medicare for genetic testing services from Sept. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2017. Specifically, the United States alleged that GenomeDx submitted claims for Decipher Prostate tests (its flagship service) that were not medically necessary. GenomeDx agreed to pay more than $1.9 million to resolve its alleged liability.

 

Kickbacks

Labs also come up in the OIG discussion of affirmative litigation cases under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law, namely the crackdown against physicians on the receiving end of the Millennium Laboratories kickback scheme. Explanation: In 2015, Millennium agreed to pay $256 million to settle claims of providing free point of care urine drug testing cups (POCT cups) to physicians in exchange for test referrals. In September 2017, the case entered a new phase when enforcers began targeting the downstream physicians who accepted the free cups. To date, OIG-initiated affirmative litigation actions against the physicians and practices has yielded over $2 million in total recoveries.

 

Takeaways

For lab managers, this year’s report suggests:

  • Federal enforcement activity remains consistent;
  • Emphasis is on maximizing recovery efforts in terms of financial payoff;
  • Individuals and small companies are still targets, especially when criminal activity also involves larger entities;
  • The opioid crisis continues to get attention; but where labs were once a target, the focus now is largely on prescription drugs abuse and prevention; and
  • Labs remain on OIG’s enforcement radar.

**************

This article originally appeared in G2 Intelligence, National Intelligence Report, July 2019

Footer
  • Membership
    • Membership Overview
    • Member Resources
    • My Role
    • Career Resources
  • Learning
    • Online Education
    • Certificate Programs
    • Quality Improvement & Quality Assurance
    • Live Events
    • Books & Journals
    • Resources
    • ASCPedia
    • ACCME Accreditation
    • Featured Education
  • Advocacy & Outreach
    • Institute for Science, Technology, and Public Policy
    • Center for Global Health
    • ASCP Foundation
    • Patient Champions
    • Get Involved
  • About ASCP
    • Contact Us
    • Chat with Us
  • Board Of Certification
    • Get Credentialed
    • Stay Credentialed
    • Verify Credentials
    • Program Directors
    • About the BOC
  • News
    • ePolicy News
Chicago (Headquarters)
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60603

Privacy Policy 

Terms of Use

Follow Us

Copyright ©2021  by American Society for Clinical Pathology. All Rights Reserved.

Live Chat

First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
Customer ID