In what year did the OIG post its guidance specifically for hospitals?

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) published its guidance specifically for hospitals in 1998. This guidance was part of a broader effort to promote compliance with health care laws and regulations, and it provided hospitals with a framework for establishing effective compliance programs. The importance of this guidance cannot be overstated, as it was one of the first significant efforts to encourage healthcare institutions to proactively address compliance issues, emphasizing ethical behavior and adherence to legal standards in healthcare operations.

The 1998 guidance aimed to help hospitals mitigate risks associated with fraud and abuse, thereby enhancing the integrity of healthcare services delivered to patients. It set key compliance expectations and offered practical steps for hospitals to create systematic approaches to compliance, reinforcing the central role of hospitals in maintaining the health care system's integrity.