Avoid Employing Excluded Individuals
Civil monetary penalties may be imposed against health care providers or entities that employ or enter into contracts with excluded individuals for the provision of services or items to Federal program beneficiaries. The effect of an OIG exclusion from Federal health care programs is that no Federal health care program payment may be made for any items or services (1) furnished by an excluded individual or entity, or (2) directed or prescribed by an excluded physician, provider or entity that receives Federal health care funding may only employ an excluded individual in limited situations. Those situations include instances where the excluded individual is paid exclusively with private funds or from other non-federal funding sources, and where the services furnished by the excluded individual relate solely to non-federal program patients. The OIG urges health care providers and entities to check the OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities prior to hiring or contracting with individuals or entities and to periodically check the OIG web site for determining the participation/exclusion status of current employees and contractors.
A searchable database of excluded individuals is accessible at the OIG’s website: www.hhs.gov/oig
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