OIG Enforcement Actions

February Recap of OIG Enforcement Actions: Notable Decisions 

(March 1, 2019) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), has continued its goal of enforcing its guidelines and rules upon medical providers participating in their programs. The OIG has kept pursuing its goal of protecting the integrity of its federal health care programs and their respective patients.  Several… more>>

What Providers Need to Know About Medicaid Exclusions in Texas: Exclusion Screening Requirements and Best Practices for Compliance

(December 17, 2018):   Texas Medicaid Exclusions will prevent the Texas Medicaid Program from paying for any item or service furnished directly or indirectly by individuals or entities that have been excluded from a State or Federal health care program.  This results in a broad “Payment Prohibition” that is enforced by the Texas Health and Human… more>>

Significant Recent Trends in Exclusion Case Settlements

By Catalina Jandorf The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has recently entered into a number of exclusion case settlements tied to skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.  Additionally, there have been several recent investigations targeted towards physician practices.  A rising number of these cases with sizable settlement recoveries highlight an emerging trend to be on the lookout… more>>

Pharmacies Targeted for Exclusion Violations by OIG and States

By Catalina Jandorf In what appears to be a growing enforcement trend, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS/OIG) and State Medicaid Fraud Units are aggressively pursuing pharmacy retailers for exclusion violations.  In recent investigations, pharmacies are being targeted for failing to screen prescribers as well as employing pharmacists who have been… more>>

Excluded Dentist Pays Record $1.1 Million and Agrees to 50 Year Exclusion

Exclusion Violation by Dentist "Sends a Strong Warning" February 1, 2017 By Paul Weidenfeld The Office of the Inspector General's (OIG) announced last week that it had reached a settlement in excess of a million dollars with an excluded dentist for violations of the provisions of the regulations denying participation in federal health care programs… more>>

OIG Imposes Record Penalties for Exclusion Violations

OIG Imposes Record $21.5 Million in Penalties for Exclusion Violations! The OIG imposed a record $21.5 million civil money penalties and restitution against an Ohio corporation that operates pharmacies and supermarkets in 34 states for exclusion violations involving the employment of excluded individuals and fulfilling prescriptions by excluded prescribers! The settlement alleged that the company filled… more>>

OIG Issues Updated Criteria for Implementing Its Permissive Exclusion Authority

On April 18, 2016, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) issued updated criteria for assessing and evaluating the imposition of permissive exclusions under Section 1128(b)(7) of the Social Security Act. The update replaces the 1997 Federal Register notice and demonstrates the OIG’s ongoing interest in the implementation and enforcement… more>>

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