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Overview</a></li> <li><a href="/careers/internship-opportunities/" onclick="_sz.push(['event', 'MAIN_NAV-CAREERS', 'CLICK', 'INTERNSHIPS']);">Internship Opportunities</a></li> </ul></li> <li class="mobile-search"> <a class="usa-nav-link" href="https://search.usa.gov/search?affiliate=hhs_oig"><span>Search</span></a> </li> </ul> <div class="usa-nav-secondary"> <form class="usa-search js-search-form" id="search_form" action="https://search.usa.gov/search" accept-charset="UTF-8" method="get"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /> <div role="search"> <label class="usa-sr-only" for="search-field">Search</label> <input id="search-field" type="search" name="query" autocomplete="on" class="usagov-search-autocomplete"> <input type="hidden" name="affiliate" id="affiliate" value="hhs_oig" /> <button type="submit" name="commit" value="Search"> <span class="usa-search-submit-text">Search</span> </button> </div> </form> <ul class="usa-unstyled-list usa-nav-secondary-links"> <li>   <a href="/fraud/report-fraud/index.asp" class="report-fraud-nav-link" onclick="_sz.push(['event', 'MAIN_NAV-REPORT-FRAUD', 'CLICK', 'NAV-HEADING']);"> Submit a Complaint </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </header> <div class="usa-overlay"></div> <main class="usa-grid usa-section usa-content usa-layout-docs" id="main-content" style="padding-top:10px;"> <div align="center" style="margin-bottom:10px;"><img src="./op-care-banner.jpg" alt="Operation Care Logo" /> </div> <div class="usa-width-one-whole"> <div class="usa-width-one-half usa-layout-docs-main_content"> <h1 style="font-size:24pt;">Advocating for the <br />Nation's Elder Population</h1> <p>OIG has a long history of protecting the health and well-being of HHS beneficiaries, including residents in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, many of whom are seniors. As part of our commitment to this important work, our oversight agency collects and investigates tips and complaints about fraud, waste, and abuse in these facilities. </p> <p>Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen a spike in the number of reports of elder harm and neglect. Also, of great concern is the rise in the number of bad actors preying on unsuspecting individuals in our country, including many Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries.</p> <p>As we continue to aggressively investigate those who cheat our programs or hurt beneficiaries, we want you to know that the public can effectively advocate for this vulnerable population by reporting patient safety and fraud concerns. While there are many ways that long-term care residents can be subject to harm, here are a few:</p> <h2 style="font-size:20pt; margin-top:5px;">Harm or Neglect</h2> <ul> <li>If residents have bruises, fractures, lacerations, abrasions, contusions, or other bodily injuries, this may indicate potential physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect.</li> <li>Behavioral changes or non-verbal signals that a resident may be in fear of specific staff or caretakers. This may indicate possible abuse.</li> <li>Poor hygiene and sanitation practices and delays in transferring ill residents to hospitals can result from failures in quality of care.</li> <li>Employees who do not follow COVID-19 health and safety precautions demonstrate inadequate infection control measures and risk exposing residents and other staff to the virus.</li> </ul> <h2 style="font-size:20pt; margin-top:5px;">Fraud</h2> <ul> <li>Fraudsters visit facilities and offer medical services in exchange for Medicare and Medicaid numbers that are then submitted in fraudulent claims to insurers.</li> <li>Scammers reach residents via unsolicited telephone calls, television commercials, and internet pop-up ads attempting to obtain personal information and commit medical identity theft.</li> <li>Fraudulent health care providers and prescribers may provide medically unnecessary treatments and products to residents and bill for the illegitimate services.</li> </ul> <h2>Take the Lead:<br />Report Fraud, Abuse, and Neglect</h2> </div> <div class="usa-width-one-half usa-layout-docs-main_content"> <div style="background:#efefef; width:475px;margin-bottom:20px;"> <iframe width="475" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qr7mUVloQzc" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> <div><img class="clean" src="./take-the-lead.jpg" alt="Take the Lead: Help Protect our Elders" /></div> <div> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="Layout table" style="margin-top:20px;" width="475" class="posters"> <colgroup> <col width="300"> </colgroup> <tr> <td style="background:#142a4f url(./care_download-posters.jpg) left top no-repeat" valign="top"> <p class="poster-header">Elder Care & Safety<br />Awareness Posters</p> <p class="poster-text">View and download <br />posters to help raise awareness.</p> </td> <td class="languages"> <p><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/medicaid-fraud-control-units-mfcu/files/HHS-OIG-NH-Initiative-Poster-eng.pdf">English</a></p> <p><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/medicaid-fraud-control-units-mfcu/files/HHS-OIG-NH-Initiative-Poster-span.pdf">Español</a></p> <p><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/medicaid-fraud-control-units-mfcu/files/HHS-OIG-NH-Initiative-Poster-creole.pdf">Kreyòl Ayisyen</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom:0;"><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/medicaid-fraud-control-units-mfcu/files/HHS-OIG-NH-Initiative-Poster-korean.pdf">한국어</a></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <a class="covid-portal-gfx" href="/coronavirus/"> <strong>COVID-19 Portal</strong><br /> Learn about COVID-19 with OIG resources and get the latest updates. </a> <div id="resources-support"> <h2 class="hp">Resources & Support</h2> <ul> <li class="icon-hhs"><strong><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/aging/index.html">HHS Healthy Aging</a></strong><br /> Learn more about how to take steps to protect your physical, mental, and financial security with resources and information for seniors.</li> <li class="icon-heart"><strong><a href="https://theconsumervoice.org/get_help">LTC Ombudsman</a></strong><br /> Find your state's long-term care (LTC) Ombudsman. LTC Ombudsmen advocate for the rights of nursing home and long-term care residents, including responding to complaints.</li> <li class="icon-location"><strong><a href="https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx">Eldercare Locator</a></strong><br /> Find and connect to elder care support services for seniors, families, and caregivers.</li> <li class="icon-scales"><strong><a href="https://www.naag.org/about-naag/namfcu/state-medicaid-fraud-control-units/">Medicaid Fraud Control Units</a></strong><br /> Visit your state's MFCU website to learn about health care fraud and how to report Medicaid fraud and elder abuse.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="usa-width-one-whole"> <p>If a senior is not in urgent danger, but you suspect fraud, abuse, or neglect has or is occurring, please report your complaint to local law enforcement, state agencies, including your state Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), or to HHS OIG at <a href="http://tips.hhs.gov">tips.hhs.gov</a>.</p> <p>In addition, should you, or someone you know, be in urgent life threatening danger, please call 911 for an immediate response. Medical authorities can address the issue quickly and alert the proper authorities that a nursing home may be failing to keep residents safe. </p> <div class="contentSeparator"></div> <dl> <dt><a href="/fraud/medicaid-fraud-control-units-mfcu/index.asp">Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCU)</a></dt> <dd>Learn about the role of State MFCUs in the investigation and prosecution of health care provider fraud and patient abuse or neglect in long-term care facilities and health care facilties.</dd> </dl> <a class="usa-button usa-button-small" href="https://tips.hhs.gov">File a Complaint with OIG Hotline</a> <h2>Other Information</h2> <ul class="usa-accordion-bordered"> <li> <button class="usa-accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="b-a5"> Consumer Alerts </button> <div id="b-a5" class="usa-accordion-content"> The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General has encountered a wide variety of scams that specifically target the elder population. From COVID-19 scams to Medical Identity Theft, OIG keeps the public informed about the latest scams and how you can protect yourself. <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/consumer-alerts/">Learn More</a> </div> </li> <li> <button class="usa-accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="b-a4"> Office of Evaluation and Inspections Reports </button> <div id="b-a4" class="usa-accordion-content"> <p>The Office of Evaluation and Inspections (OEI) conducts national evaluations of HHS programs from a broad, issue-based perspective. The evaluations incorporate practical recommendations and focus on preventing fraud, waste or abuse and encourage efficiency and effectiveness in HHS programs.</p> <dl> <dt>12-13-2023</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-06-22-00040.asp">The Provider Relief Fund Helped Select Nursing Homes Maintain Services During the COVID 19 Pandemic, but Some Found Guidance Difficult to Use</a></dd> <dt>09-06-2023</dt> <dd><a href="/oei/reports/OEI-06-22-00100.asp">Nursing Homes Reported Wide-Ranging Challenges Preparing for Public Health Emergencies and Natural Disasters</a></dd> <dt>01-19-2023</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-02-20-00491.asp">More Than a Thousand Nursing Homes Reached Infection Rates of 75 Percent or More in the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic; Better Protections Are Needed for Future Emergencies</a></dd> <dt>11-14-2022</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-07-20-00500.asp">Long-Term Trends of Psychotropic Drug Use in Nursing Homes</a></dd> <dt>07-27-2021</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-01-20-00431.asp">States' Backlogs of Standard Surveys of Nursing Homes Grew Substantially During the COVID-19 Pandemic</a></dd> <dt>06-22-2021</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-02-20-00490.asp">COVID-19 Had a Devastating Impact on Medicare Beneficiaries in Nursing Homes During 2020</a></dd> <dt>12-17-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-01-20-00430.asp?utm_source=web&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=covid-OEI-01-20-00430">Onsite Surveys of Nursing Homes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: March 23-May 30, 2020</a></dd> <dt>09-22-2020</dt> <dd>States Continued To Fall Short in Meeting Required Timeframes for Investigating Nursing Home Complaints: 2016-2018<br /> <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-01-19-00421.asp?utm_source=web&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=nh-trends-OEI-01-19-00421">Report</a> | <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/maps/2019-nursing-home/">Map</a></dd> <dt>09-04-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-07-20-00180.asp">National Background Check Program for Long Term Care Providers: Assessment of State Programs Concluded in 2019</a></dd> <dt>08-03-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/OEI-04-18-00450.asp">Some Nursing Homes' Reported Staffing Levels in 2018 Raise Concerns; Consumer Transparency Could Be Increased</a></dd> <dt>06-30-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-20-00150.asp">2019 Performance Data for the Senior Medicare Patrol Projects</a></dd> <dt>07-13-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-17-00020.asp">Hospice Deficiencies Pose Risks to Medicare Beneficiaries</a></dd> <dt>07-03-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-17-00021.asp">Safeguards Must Be Strengthened To Protect Medicare Hospice Beneficiaries From Harm</a></dd> <dt>07-30-2018</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-02-16-00570.asp">Vulnerabilities in the Medicare Hospice Program Affect Quality Care and Program Integrity: An OIG Portfolio</a></dd> <dt>06-26-2018 </dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-06-16-00380.asp">CMS Did Not Detect Some Inappropriate Claims for Durable Medical Equipment in Nursing Facilities</a></dd> <dt>09-28-2017</dt> <dd>A Few States Fell Short in Timely Investigation of the Most Serious Nursing Home Complaints: 2011-2015<br /> <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-01-16-00330.asp">Report</a> | <a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/maps/nursing-home/">Map</a></dd> </dl> </div> </li> <li> <button class="usa-accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="b-a3"> Office of Audit Services Reports </button> <div id="b-a3" class="usa-accordion-content"> <p>The Office of Audit Services (OAS) conducts independent audits of HHS programs and/or HHS grantees and contractors. These audits examine the performance of HHS programs and/or grantees in carrying out their responsibilities and provide independent assessments of HHS programs and operations. These audits help reduce waste, abuse, and mismanagement and promote economy and efficiency throughout HHS.</p> <dl> <dt>12-06-2023</dt> <dd><a href="/oas/reports/region6/62102000.asp">Louisiana Should Improve Its Oversight of Nursing Homes' Compliance With Requirements That Prohibit Employment of Individuals With Disqualifying Background Checks</a></dd> <dt>09-18-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region4/41908070.pdf">North Carolina Should Improve Its Oversight of Selected Nursing Homes' Compliance With Federal Requirements for Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness</a></dd> <dt>09-17-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region5/51800037.pdf">Illinois Should Improve Its Oversight of Selected Nursing Homes' Compliance With Federal Requirements for Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness</a></dd> <dt>08-19-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region2/21801006.asp">New Jersey Did Not Ensure That Incidents of Potential Abuse or Neglect of Medicaid Beneficiaries Residing in Nursing Facilities Were Always Properly Investigated and Reported</a></dd> <dt>07-29-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region4/41704063.pdf">North Carolina Did Not Ensure That Nursing Facilities Always Reported Allegations of Potential Abuse and Neglect of Medicaid Beneficiaries and Did Not Always Prioritize Allegations Timely</a></dd> <dt>03-13-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region7/71803230.pdf">Missouri Should Improve Its Oversight of Selected Nursing Homes' Compliance With Federal Requirements for Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness</a></dd> <dt>03-06-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region4/41808065.pdf">Florida Should Improve Its Oversight of Selected Nursing Homes' Compliance With Federal Requirements for Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness</a></dd> <dt>02-06-2020</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region6/61908001.pdf">Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies Found at 18 of 20 Texas Nursing Homes</a></dd> <dt>11-13-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region9/91802009.pdf">California Should Improve Its Oversight of Selected Nursing Homes' Compliance With Federal Requirements for Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness</a></dd> <dt>08-20-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region2/21701027.pdf">New York Should Improve Its Oversight of Selected Nursing Homes' Compliance With Federal Requirements for Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness</a></dd> <dt>06-12-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region1/11600509.pdf">Incidents of Potential Abuse and Neglect at Skilled Nursing Facilities Were Not Always Reported and Investigated</a> </dd> </dl> </div> </li> <li> <button class="usa-accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="b-a2"> Office of Counsel to the Inspector General Reports </button> <div id="b-a2" class="usa-accordion-content"> <p>The Office of Counsel to the Inspector General (OCIG), among other things, represents OIG in all civil and administrative fraud and abuse cases involving HHS programs, including False Claims Act, program exclusion, and civil monetary penalty cases. In connection with these cases, OCIG also negotiates and monitors corporate integrity agreements. Based on this work, OCIG has issued compliance program guidances. Below is a link to all current corporate integrity agreements, several of which are with nursing home providers, and a link to compliance program guidances, including guidance for nursing facilities. </p> <ul> <li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/corporate-integrity-agreements/cia-documents.asp">Corporate Integrity Agreements</a> </li> <li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/compliance/compliance-guidance/index.asp">Compliance Program Guidances</a></li> </ul> </div> </li> <li> <button class="usa-accordion-button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="b-a1"> OIG Testimonies and Videos </button> <div id="b-a1" class="usa-accordion-content"> <h3>Testimonies</h3> <dl> <dt>11-14-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/33/SFR_Hospice_Nursing_Homes_WM.pdf">"Caring for Aging Americans" Statement for the Record</a> </dd> <dt>07-23-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/65/20190723_-_Tinker_Testimony.pdf">"Promoting Elder Justice: A Call for Reform" Testimony</a></dd> <dt>09-06-2018</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/documents/60/20180906_-_Dorrill_Testimony.pdf">"Examining Federal Efforts to Ensure Quality of Care and Resident Safety in Nursing Homes" Testimony</a></dd> </dl> <h3>Videos</h3> <dl> <dt>06-03-2022</dt> <dd><a data-fancybox href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD_Uwpmzq6M">Eye on Oversight: Combating COVID-19 Health Care Fraud</a></dd> <dt>06-12-2019</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/newsroom/videos/eye-oversight-abuse-neglect-medicare-beneficiaries/">Eye On Oversight: Abuse & Neglect of Medicare Beneficiaries</a></dd> <dt>06-07-2017</dt> <dd><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov/newsroom/videos/eye-oversight-abuse-nursing-homes/">Eye on Oversight: Abuse in Nursing Homes</a></dd> </dl> </div> </li> </ul> </div> </main> <footer class="usa-footer usa-footer-big" role="contentinfo"> <div class="usa-grid usa-footer-return-to-top"> <a href="#">Return to top</a> </div> <div class="usa-footer-primary-section"> <div class="usa-grid"> <nav 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