OIG Opioid Audit

• By: Maureen Carland
• On: 02/19/2026 12:00:55
• In: Quality/Regulatory

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) has added a new audit to its 2026 Work Plan titled Implementation and Effectiveness of Nursing Home Pharmacy Service Internal Controls to Prevent Opioid Overuse, Misuse, and Diversion. This in-progress audit will assess whether selected State agencies ensured that nursing homes followed federal and state pharmacy requirements and whether internal controls effectively prevent opioid overuse, misuse, or diversion among Medicare and Medicaid residents. Nursing homes are required to provide safe pharmaceutical services, including secure storage and limited access to controlled drugs, yet nearly half of facilities were cited for deficiencies in pharmaceutical services in recent inspections. (Office of Inspector General)

The audit recognizes that nursing home residents who receive opioids could be at risk if proper systems and procedures are not in place. It reflects OIG's broader focus on strengthening drug-related internal controls and safeguarding vulnerable populations in long-term care. (Office of Inspector General)
This initiative comes amid a broader context of heightened federal action on drug diversion and opioid misuse. OIG's enforcement activities have increasingly targeted prescription drug diversion and fraud, collaborating with the Department of Justice and other agencies to pursue large-scale cases involving millions of diverted pills and substantial healthcare fraud recoveries. Moreover, OIG has issued updated compliance guidance tailored to nursing facilities to help reduce risks of fraud, waste, and abuse in pharmaceutical services. These efforts collectively underscore the agency's commitment to strengthening internal controls in healthcare settings and safeguarding vulnerable populations in long-term care from the broader opioid crisis. (arnoldporter.com)
 
Staff Contact: mcarland[at]mehca.org