News Brief: OIG makes changes to self-disclosure protocol

OIG makes changes to self-disclosure protocol

The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has announced changes to the provider self-disclosure protocol (SDP), which health care providers use to voluntarily disclose self-discovered evidence of potential fraud, and to its process for resolving those cases.

In an open letter to health care providers, the OIG said the changes "are intended to provide an opportunity for providers to work with the OIG to more efficiently and fairly resolve matters appropriately disclosed under the SDP."

The OIG also clarified that providers should not submit disclosures characterized as mere billing errors or overpayments, as they are not appropriately addressed by the SDP.

Providers can avoid federal investigations of fraud by voluntarily disclosing self-discovered evidence of potential fraud through the SDP.