HHS' Office of the Inspector General has released a new work plan detailing several health IT audits that will be necessary as officials work to implement the federal economic stimulus law, Federal Computer Week reports.
The stimulus law calls for CMS to distribute incentive payments to health care providers who demonstrate "meaningful use" of electronic health records.
The work plan suggests that OIG will conduct audits of CMS':
- Compliance with breach notification requirements;
- Fraud and error prevention procedures;
- Implementation of payment management systems; and
- Oversight of the incentive payment program.
OIG said it also plans to examine the security of IT systems used by Medicare and Medicare Part D contractors.
In addition, the work plan calls for CMS to upgrade its IT systems to ensure that they comply with the meaningful use requirements and meet data security standards (Lipowicz, Federal Computer Week, 10/28).