U.S. Department of Health and Human Services OIG
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is the largest inspector general's office in the Federal Government, with approximately 1,600 dedicated to combating fraud, waste and abuse and to improving the efficiency of HHS programs. A majority of OIG's resources goes toward the government oversight of Medicare and Medicaid—programs that represent a significant part of the Federal budget and that affect this country's most vulnerable citizens. OIG's oversight extends to programs under other HHS institutions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration.
OIG provides independent and objective oversight of more than 300 HHS programs, which represent 24 cents of every Federal dollar spent. For more than 30 years, OIG has consistently achieved commendable results and significant returns on investment. In FY 2012 alone, OIG’s efforts resulted in estimated savings and expected recoveries of misspent funds totaling approximately $15.4 billion. The Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control program, of which OIG is a key partner, returned more than $7 for every $1 invested. Such results are increasingly important as the Federal Government works to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its operations and to provide services of the highest quality. This Strategic Plan will guide OIG efforts over the coming years.
Mission. OIG’s mission is to protect the integrity of HHS programs and the health and welfare of the people they serve. As established by the Inspector General Act of 1978, OIG is an independent and objective organization that fights fraud, waste, and abuse and promotes efficiency, economy, and effectiveness in HHS programs and operations and works to ensure that Federal dollars are used appropriately and that HHS programs well serve the people who use them.
Vision. The vision is to drive positive change in HHS programs and in the lives of the people served by these programs. OIG pursues this vision through independent oversight of HHS programs and operations and by providing HHS and Congress with objective and reliable information for use in policymaking. They assess the Department’s performance, administrative operations, and financial stewardship. They evaluate risks to HHS programs and the people they serve, and recommend improvements. The law enforcement component of OIG investigates fraud and abuse against HHS programs and holds wrongdoers accountable for their actions.
Values. OIG strives to be relevant, impactful, customer-focused, and innovative and applies these values to our work in order to persuade others to take action by changing rules, policies, and behaviors to improve HHS programs and operations. OIG strives to serve as a model for good government. Of key importance is engagement with our stakeholders―Congress, HHS, health and human services professionals, and consumers―to understand their needs, challenges, and interests in order to develop and identify areas for closer scrutiny and offer recommendations for improvement. OIG does this throughout the year, but most visibly through the development of the annual Work Plan and HHS’s Top Management and Performance Challenges. The goals, priorities, and strategies in these documents reflect the ongoing stakeholder engagement and the assessment of the input received.
HHS OIG’s goals and priorities reflect the positive changes toward which they strive: