Report on Medicare Compliance Interviews Lisa Re on OIG Priorities and Compliance Guidance
Lisa Re, Arnold & Porter Life Sciences & Healthcare Regulatory partner and former Assistant Inspector General for Legal Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG), was quoted in the Report on Medicare Compliance article, “Former OIG Officials: Future of Compliance Guidance Is Hazy; Focus Is on ‘Core Mission,’” on the agency’s shifting focus amid staffing shortages and regulatory constraints.
Lisa noted that a hiring freeze and loss of experienced personnel are forcing OIG to prioritize its core mission—audits, investigations, and fraud enforcement—over new industry-specific compliance guidance. She added that a recent executive order requiring federal deregulation could further limit OIG’s ability to issue new guidance.
“OIG’s identity is fighting fraud, waste and abuse, and I don’t think any of that will change,” she said.
Lisa also highlighted that providers should take enforcement alerts seriously, referencing a Sept. 4 Enforcement Alert on Information Blocking.
“These coordinated messages really put providers on notice that enforcement is imminent,” she said.
