Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently issued a report focused on what it characterized as concerning trends related to Medicare Part B claims submissions for skin substitutes, i.e., skin grafts. Skin substitutes have become a critical part of wound care and tissue regeneration and are increasingly a part of patient treatment plans. In the report, “Medicare Part B Payment Trends for Skin Substitutes Raise Major Concerns About Fraud, Waste, and Abuse,” the OIG highlights several billing and utilization patterns it views as consistent with fraud, waste, and abuse – signaling to the United States health care system that skin substitutes are now being closely scrutinized by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Justice.Continue Reading “Skyrocketing” Medicare Part B Claims Submissions on Skin Substitutes

On May 9, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the formation of the Antitrust Division’s Task Force on Health Care Monopolies and Collusion (“HCMC”). The HCMC “will guide the division’s enforcement strategy and policy approach in health care, including by facilitating policy advocacy, investigations and, where warranted, civil and criminal enforcement in health care markets.” Continue Reading DOJ Focus on Health Care Marches Forward with Formation of Task Force