According to a report issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of the White House, the Federal government made $54 billion in improper payments in 2009 from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  The OMB reports that in response, President Obama is expected to sign an Executive Order this week designed to boost inter-agency transparency, hold agencies accountable, and create incentives for compliance.  This is just another indication that fraud, waste and abuse enforcement efforts will likely spike considerably in the coming months and years, and physicians and other providers need to be sure they are devoting adequate resources compliance efforts.