Latest news with #InspectorGeneral
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tricare errors put military families at risk of paying higher costs, audit finds
Tricare, the federal health-insurance program for military service members and their families, and the Defense Health Agency that governs it, put beneficiaries at risk of paying much higher costs due to a lack of internal controls, according to an audit conducted by the Department of Justice. The audit by the Inspector General reviewed financial records across both Tricare's East and West regions (which includes all 50 states) from November 2023 to February 2025, found that policy did not require federal officials or the company to ensure that rates for services or equipment that don't already have a defined reimbursement rate were 'reasonable or consistent with other states,' and contractors did not have guidance on how to create new rates. This caused a contractor in Illinois to pay $11,500 for custom sleep apnea mouth guards, a price 283% higher than the cost in neighboring Iowa, according to the audit report. The DHA also allowed rental costs for medical items to far exceed the cost of purchasing, resulting in a contractor paying Tricare $5,000 per month to rent one of two compression devices while the same product was available to rent for $675 per month and another supplier was selling one for $409.50. Virginia is among the states with higher rental rates than purchasing costs. For a particular compression device, the rental cost per month in Virginia was $4,680 compared to $3,450 to buy it, a 35.7% difference. Connecticut had the highest difference at 100.2%, according to the audit. In fiscal year 2023, Tricare contractors paid a total of $183 million for items or services that didn't have a defined reimbursement rate. It's unclear how much of that total is considered 'unreasonable' and how much additional financial burden was passed on to beneficiaries. 'Because the DHA did not determine that the state prevailing rates were reasonable, the DoD is at risk of wasteful spending and increasing DoD beneficiaries' risk of unreasonable cost-shares for health care services and items that are paid with state prevailing rates,' the audit concludes. State prevailing rates are established by taking all the billed charges for a service or item in the previous year and separating them by state. The state prevailing rate is then set at the 80th percentile of the charges for that service or item in each state. The amount the DHA has reimbursed providers for all health care services and items has decreased by 16% since fiscal year 2021 as a result of measures taken in response to prior DOD reviews, according to the audit. The federal agency issued a policy in July that allows contractors to set payment thresholds to 'prevent reimbursement substantially in excess of customary or reasonable charges.' The Inspector General recommends that the DHA reassess and revise the state prevailing rates in Tricare's policy to ensure rates are 'reasonable,' develop and issue guidance to require an independent party to review the state prevailing rates annually, and implement an oversight mechanism. DHA has hired a company to monitor the accuracy of payments made by Tricare contractors. In 2022 and 2023, this company found that Tricare had a quarterly error rate of 0.31% or less and 0.4% or less, respectively, across both the East and West regions. These error rates are lower than Tricare's own maximum allowable error rate of 1.75%. A Tricare spokesperson did not respond to an emailed question about how soon beneficiaries might see a change in costs.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General releases inspection report on Augusta's VA
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General released a report of its inspection results for the VA Augusta Health Care System this month. The report, entitled Healthcare Facility Inspection of the VA Augusta Health Care System in Georgia, was published on May 22, 2025. According to the report summary, the evaluation focused on five key content domains: Culture Environment of care Patient safety Primary care Veteran-centered safety net The OIG issued five recommendations for improvement in Culture, Environment of care and Patient Safety areas. The report in its entirety can be read here: vaoig-24-00617-118Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Public support grows for Baltimore County inspector general amid reappointment controversy
Public support is mounting for Baltimore County Inspector General Kelly Madigan after County Executive Kathy Klausmeier informed her that she must reapply for the job she has held since the role's inception in 2019. Madigan, who has served as the county's top watchdog for five years, was notified by a letter that she would not be automatically reappointed. Currently, Baltimore County's charter gives the executive the authority to appoint the inspector general, a system critics say creates an inherent conflict of interest. "The county executive is conflicted, there is no question about it," said Isabel Cumming, Baltimore City's inspector general. "She is within the jurisdiction of the inspector general." Madigan's future remains uncertain as she undergoes the reapplication process, which will remain open for three weeks. In the meantime, the debate has rekindled broader discussions about transparency, accountability, and the structural independence of government watchdogs in Baltimore County. "I have to put my energy into the things I can control, gathering my application, updating my resume," Madigan said. Baltimore City allows citizen oversight Baltimore City previously addressed a similar concern by shifting appointment power from elected officials to a citizen oversight board — a change approved by 89% of voters through a 2022 ballot initiative known as Question I. "Question I for independence — real independence," Cumming said. "Because saying you have an inspector general but keeping her under the watchdog of an elected official, that's not true independence." Elected leaders show support County Councilman Izzy Patoka is among the officials voicing strong support for Madigan, citing her deep understanding of county agencies. "She understands the nuances of each agency," Patoka said. "Bringing on someone new would create a whole new learning curve for that person." Patoka agrees that reform is needed in Baltimore County. "Baltimore County has had an interesting history, I'll say — and we do need a watchdog," Patoka said. Six of the seven County Council members have publicly supported Madigan. The only holdout is Councilman Julian Jones, who previously introduced amendments aimed at limiting the inspector general's authority. Patoka said his constituents have voiced no opposition to the office. "The only folks that I hear that from are people that have been in elected office," Patoka added. "So that's peculiar in itself." Cumming said the solution is simple: "Baltimore County, you need to catch up. You need to protect your inspector general."
CBS News
15-05-2025
- CBS News
Baltimore Fire employee paid during jail time after failing to report criminal convictions, IG finds
A Baltimore City Fire Department (BCFD) employee continued to receive pay while serving a prison and home detention sentence after failing to report criminal convictions, according to an inspector general (IG) report. The Inspector General's Office began investigating the matter after getting an anonymous complaint about an employee who failed to report a 2019 arrest for driving with a suspended or revoked license. The investigation also revealed a 2018 arrest for driving under the influence. According to the IG report, BCFD employees are required to submit a report if they are involved in any legal proceedings, including civil, criminal or traffic incidents. Under department policy, BCFD employees are also required to share details about any arrests. The IG's report details that the employee was sentenced in February 2020 and ordered to report for a jail sentence in March 2020. The employee was incarcerated for 24 days in March and remained under house arrest until the end of May 2020, according to court documents cited in the report. The investigation revealed that the employee did not report the arrest or the sentence they received. According to the report, the employee attended a BCFD disciplinary hearing during which he said he was unfamiliar with the policy for arrests. The hearing ended with a recommendation for a three-day suspension without pay. Baltimore Fire employee paid during jail time, house arrest The BCFD employee visited the Public Safety Infirmary in February. The office provides services for employees who suffer from on-duty illnesses. The employee was ultimately placed off-duty until June 2020. However, the IG's investigation found that the employee continued to receive pay from March 2020 until he was released from house arrest at the end of May 2020. While serving the sentence, the employee received both regular and sick pay, totalling $13,733. He returned to work in June 2020, according to the report. The inspector general referred the potential time theft to law enforcement for a criminal investigation. Employee promoted despite criminal conviction According to the IG report, the BCFD employee was promoted to a supervisor role in 2021, despite the prior conviction. According to the anonymous complaint, a mandatory background check should have made the employee ineligible for a promotion. Human Resources officials said the employee was given five days to respond to the findings from the background check, though the IG found that the employee did not respond. Human Resources explained that the hiring agency was responsible for the final decision. Investigation reveals another DUI arrest During the investigation, the inspector general learned that the employee was again arrested for a DUI in 2024 and was incarcerated for eight days. The employee again failed to report the arrest and conviction to the fire department. Baltimore City Fire responds The inspector general shared the findings with the Baltimore City Fire Department, and officials said they would launch an internal investigation. "Should BCFD's internal investigation uncover any potential wrongdoing or policy violations by other BCFD employees, [the Office of Professional Standards] will initiate investigations into those personnel in accordance with departmental policy," leaders said.
Business Recorder
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Court allows Imran Khan to communicate with his sons
ISLAMABAD: In a significant legal development, a special court on Tuesday dismissed a review petition filed by Adiala Jail authorities, challenging earlier court orders that allowed incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to communicate with his sons and undergo medical check-ups by his personal physician. Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand, while announcing the verdict, upheld the previous court directives issued on January 10, January 28, and February 3, instructing the jail administration to facilitate weekly WhatsApp calls between Khan and his children [Suleman Khan and Qasim Khan] and permit medical examinations by his chosen doctor. The judge ruled that the court had thoroughly considered all relevant aspects before issuing these orders, leaving no grounds for review. The superintendent of Adiala Jail had filed a petition seeking review of previous orders, raising objections to facilitating international communication and access to a private doctor for the convicted political leader. However, the court dismissed the plea, emphasising the need for immediate implementation of the original orders. The Adiala Jail superintendent had argued in the petition that the court's orders were inconsistent with the principles of equality and justice enshrined in Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees equal treatment before the law. The petition contended that allowing one inmate special privileges would create a precedent and potentially trigger a wave of similar demands from other prisoners. The petition noted that 93 foreign inmates are currently housed in Adiala Jail, none of whom have been allowed similar communication with their families abroad. It warned that granting Khan exclusive access to international communication and private medical care would be discriminatory and spark unrest among the prison population. Additionally, the jail authorities highlighted growing dissatisfaction among inmates across Punjab's prisons, citing numerous complaints submitted through the Inspector General (IG) of Prisons and regional Deputy Inspectors General (DIG). They claimed that other prisoners have expressed frustration over perceived unequal treatment, with many now demanding the same facilities granted to Khan. The jail administration further argued that such privileges are not provided for under the Pakistan Prison Rules, 1978. In view of the above narrated submissions, it is requested that the impugned orders of January 10 and February 3 may kindly be reviewed and set aside as being inconsistent and contrary to the basic rights and principles of recognition of the inherent dignity and equal inalienable rights of inmates. If extended, these two facilities, the same would be against the spirit of the constitution of Pakistan as well as the Pakistan Prison Rules, it says. Meanwhile, the court has adjourned the hearing of the Toshakhana-II case involving former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, until May 21. Notably, on May 13, the Adiala Jail administration informed PTI lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry that the hearing would be conducted at the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) instead of the jail premises. The last hearing in the case was held inside Adiala Jail on February 17. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
