Department of Health and Human Services Met Many Requirements, but It Did Not Fully Comply With the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 and Applicable Improper Payment Guidance for the Fiscal Year 2021

Why OIG Did This Audit

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) must review the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) compliance with the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 (PIIA, P.L. No. 116-117) and related applicable improper payment guidance. Ernst & Young (EY), LLP, under its contract with the HHS OIG, audited the fiscal year 2021 HHS improper payment information reported in the Agency Financial Report (AFR) to determine compliance with PIIA and related guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

How OIG Did This Audit

Under its contract with OIG, EY assessed whether HHS complied with the PIIA reporting requirements and provided adequate disclosure within the annual AFR and accompanying materials.

What OIG Found

EY determined that HHS met many requirements but did not fully comply with PIIA. Among the items required for compliance with PIIA that HHS complied with, EY determined that HHS: (1) published the AFR for FY 2021, (2) conducted risk assessments for 38 programs not susceptible to improper payments and determined the programs were not at risk for improper payments, and (3) published corrective action plans for 8 of the 11 programs that are susceptible to significant improper payments as determined by HHS management, OMB or through legislation. EY also determined that HHS developed a plan to meet improper payment and unknown payment reduction targets for 7 of 11 programs; also reported an improper and unknown payment rate of less than 10 percent for 5 of the 11 programs.

EY concluded that HHS did not comply with several other PIIA requirements. EY found HHS: (1) did not report an improper and unknown payment estimate for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, Advanced Premium Tax Credit and Foster Care; (2) reported improper and unknown payment rates in excess of 10 percent for Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program, and the Medicare Advantage; and (3) had completed minimal recovery audit activities for the identified improper payments for the Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit programs.