Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Contractor understands that HHS does not tolerate any type of fraud, waste, or abuse. Violations of law, agency policies, or standards of ethical conduct will be investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken. Pursuant to Texas Government Code, Section 321.022, if the administrative head of a department or entity that is subject to audit by the state auditor has reasonable cause to believe that money received from the state by the department or entity or by a client or contractor of the department or entity may have been lost, misappropriated, or misused, or that other fraudulent or unlawful conduct has occurred in relation to the operation of the department or entity, the administrative head shall report the reason and basis for the belief to the Texas State Auditor’s Office (SAO). All employees or contractors who have reasonable cause to believe that fraud, waste, or abuse has occurred (including misconduct by any HHS employee, Grantee officer, agent, employee, or subcontractor that would constitute fraud, waste, or abuse) are required to immediately report the questioned activity to the Health and Human Services Commission's Office of Inspector General. Contractor agrees to comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and System Agency policies regarding fraud, waste, and abuse including, but not limited to, HHS Circular C-027. A report to the SAO must be made through one of the following avenues: ● SAO Toll Free Hotline: 1-800-TX-AUDIT ● SAO website: xxxx://xxx.xxxxx.xxxxx.xx.xx/ All reports made to the OIG must be made through one of the following avenues: ● OIG Toll Free Hotline 0-000-000-0000 ● OIG Website: XxxxxxXxxxxXxxxx.xxx ● Internal Affairs Email: XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxXxxxxxxx@xxxx.xxxxx.xx.xx ● OIG Hotline Email: XXXXxxxxXxxxxxx@xxxx.xxxxx.xx.xx. ● OIG Mailing Address: Office of Inspector General Attn: Fraud Hotline MC 1300 P.O. Box 85200 Austin, Texas 78708-5200
Fraud Prevention A. To screen its employees and contractors to determine if they have been excluded from Medicare, Medicaid or any federal or state health care program. The Contractor agrees to search monthly the HHS-Office of Inspector General ("OIG") and Texas Health and Human Services Commission Office of Inspector General ("HHSC-OIG") List of Excluded Individuals/Entities ("LEIE") websites to capture exclusions and reinstatements that have occurred since the last search and to immediately report to HHSC-OIG any exclusion information the Contractor discovers. Exclusionary searches for prospective employees and contractors shall be performed prior to employment or contracting. B. That no Medicaid payments can be made for any items or services directed or prescribed by a physician or other authorized person who is excluded from Medicare, Medicaid or any federal or state health care program when the individual or entity furnishing the items or services either knew or should have known of the exclusion. This prohibition applies even when the Medicaid payment itself is made to another contractor, practitioner or supplier who is not excluded. C. That this contract is subject to all state and federal laws and regulations relating to fraud and abuse in health care and the Medicaid program. As required by 42 C.F.R. §431.107, the Contractor agrees to keep all records necessary to disclose the extent of services the Contractor furnishes to people in the Medicaid program and any information relating to payments claimed by the Contractor for furnishing Medicaid services. On request, the Contractor also agrees to furnish HHSC, AG-MFCU, or HHS any information maintained under 42 C.F.
