Which federal office handles fraud, waste, and abuse in health care programs?

• A. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General
• B. Federal Bureau of Investigation
• C. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• D. HHS Office of Inspector General

Answer: (D)

The main concept is the role of the HHS Office of Inspector General in safeguarding health care funds. This office is charged with protecting the integrity of Health and Human Services programs by auditing, investigating, and auditing for fraud, waste, and abuse—especially in Medicare and Medicaid. It operates independently within HHS, maintains hotlines, conducts investigations, and refers cases for civil or criminal action to the Department of Justice. While CMS administers the programs and the FBI conducts broader criminal investigations, the dedicated body responsible for detecting and addressing fraud, waste, and abuse in health care programs funded by HHS is the HHS Office of Inspector General.