Health Care Providers Should Consider the Ramifications of “Taking a Plea” in a Criminal Case or Agreeing to a Licensure Action. It May Trigger a Mandatory or Permissive OIG Exclusion Action.

exclusion action(July 16, 2018):  Perhaps the most severe administrative sanction available under the Social Security Act stems from the authority of the Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to exclude individuals and entities from participating in Federal and State health benefits programs.[1]  The Secretary has delegated[2] this authority to the HHS, Office of Inspector General (OIG)[3]. As a recent comprehensive, first-of-its-kind study by ExclusionScreening.com found that during the period 2013 to 2017, approximately 90% of the permissive OIG exclusion actions taken were based on an adverse administrative action taken against a healthcare provider’s license.  This article examines a decision issued earlier this year by the HHS Departmental Appeals Board (DAB or Board) where the Board examined a licensure-related exclusion action in considerable detail.  

 I.  Brief Overview of OIG Licensure-Related Exclusion Action: 

With the passage of the Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments[4] in 1977, mandatory OIG exclusion became mandated in cases where a physician and other practitioner has been convicted of program-related crimes. (now codified at section 1128 of the Social Security Act).  Since that time, various additional bases for both mandatory[5] and permissive[6] exclusion have been enacted. Collectively assessed, the most frequent statutory basis relied on by the OIG when seeking to exclude an individual from participation in Federal and State health care programs is “42 USC §1320a-7(b)(4) License Revocation or Suspension.[7]”  As this provision set out:

“Any individual or entity—
(A) whose license to provide health care has been revoked or suspended by any State licensing authority, or who otherwise lost such a license or the right to apply for or renew such a license, for reasons bearing on the individual’s or entity’s professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity, or
 
(B) who surrendered such a license while a formal disciplinary proceeding was pending before such an authority and the proceeding concerned the individual’s or entity’s professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity.”

   OIG Exclusion Check exclusion action

 II.  Case Study: DAB ALJ Decision No. CR4985[8]; DAB Appellate Div. Decision #2848.[9] 

In this case, a Virginia-licensed Chiropractor pled guilty in 2016 to one count of manufacturing marijuana, a felony. He was sentenced by the Court to 5 years of incarceration (4 years and 11 months suspended) and ordered him to pay a $2,500.  Based on this felony conviction, the Virginia Board of Medicine suspended the individual’s license to practice chiropractic indefinitely.[10]
  • The OIG excluded the individual under 42 USC §1320a-7(b)(4).
The OIG based its exclusion on the indefinite suspension, which links reinstatement to the term of the licensure suspension. The OIG cited 42 USC §1320a-7(b)(4) as its basis for exclusion. 
  • ALJ review of the OIG’s exclusion action.
The Chiropractor (Petitioner) subsequently filed a timely request for review by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).  Both the OIG and the Petitioner subsequently filed arguments and related documentation in support of their position.  Notably, the Petitioner’s submissions included (but were not limited to) a copy of his North Carolina chiropractic license and certificates showing his successful completion of chiropractic training courses.  As the ALJ’s decision reflects, after the record had closed, the Petitioner submitted additional documentation, including a letter attesting to his competence and a copy of his active North Carolina chiropractic license.  The ALJ refused to admit the additional materials into record based on the fact that were not submitted in a timely fashion and were irrelevant.  
Further complicating the case was the fact while the matter was pending before the ALJ, the OIG issued a second exclusion notice, advising the Petitioner that pursuant to section 1128(a)(4) of the Social Security Act (as codified at 42 USC §1320a-7(a)(4)), he was being mandatorily excluded from program participation for five years. As set out under 42 USC §1320a-7(a) Mandatory exclusion

 
“The Secretary shall exclude the following individuals and entities from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in section 1320a-7b(f) of this title). . . ”
Since this mandatory exclusion action was based on the Petitioner’s felony conviction of a criminal offense related to the manufacture, distribution, prescription, or dispensing of a controlled substance, it fell under the following exclusion provision:
 
“(4) Felony conviction relating to controlled substances:
 
Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after August 21, 1996, under Federal or State law, of a criminal offense consisting of a felony relating to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, prescription, or dispensing of a controlled substance.”

Notably the Petitioner does not appear to have appealed the five-year exclusion action. 
Upon consideration of the facts and the evidence, the ALJ sustained the OIG’s decision to exclude the Petitioner from participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal health care programs.
  • Appellate review of the ALJ’s decision.
The Petitioner appealed the ALJ’s decision sustaining the OIG’s decision to exclude him from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all Federal health care programs. As the ALJ’s ruling reflects, the Petitioner was to be excluded as least until he regained his Virginia chiropractic license. On appeal, the Petitioner raised several issues that were addressed by the Appellate Board:

Petitioner Issue #1:  First, the Petitioner argued that the time frame for exclusion was not adequately addressed by the judge.  The Petitioner further stated that he “did not agree with the length of exclusion because it was excessive and unjust.”

Board Response to #1: As the Board noted in its appellate ruling, in situations where the OIG has excluded an individual’s health care license is revoked or suspended for reasons bearing on the individual’s professional competence, professional performance or financial integrity, the Social Security Act does not delegate an ALJ the discretion to set the length of the exclusion for less than the period during which the individual’s license is suspended. (See, Social Security Act Act § 1128(c)(3)(E); 42 C.F.R. § 1001.501(b)). 

Petitioner Issue #2:  Petitioner argued that the ALJ failed to consider letters from patients and colleagues attesting to the Petitioner’s professional competence and good character in support of a reduction in the length of Petitioner’s exclusion.
 
Board Response to #2: As the Board noted in its decision, neither it nor the ALJ has the authority to consider the letters from the Petitioner’s patients and colleagues attesting to his professional competence and good character for the purpose of reducing the length of Petitioner’s exclusion.  Simply put, equitable arguments and evidence submitted in an effort to obtain a reduction in the length of exclusion cannot be considered.

Petitioner Issue #3:  The Petitioner’s appeal also raised the imposition of a second and separate OIG five-year exclusion action (based on 1128(a)(4) of the Social Security Act; 42 USC §1320a-7(a)) that was imposed while the Petitioner’s appeal was pending before the ALJ.  In the Board proceeding, the Petitioner argued that he was “appealing the five-year exclusion because it is excessive and unreasonable in [his] case.”  He further stated that he was “requesting that [his] exclusion remain as originally reported: three years or until I regain my Virginia license because that would support my position for Inclusion.”

Board Response to #3:  As the Board noted in its decision, the Petitioner only appealed the initial permissive exclusion action under 1128(b)(4), 42 USC §1320a-7(b)(4).  There was no evidence that the Petitioner had requested an ALJ hearing to contest the OIG’s second exclusion action brought under 1128(a)(4) of the Social Security Act; 42 USC §1320a-7(a).  As a result, the Board could not consider the second exclusion action.
  • Lessons to be learned from this case.
Both the ALJ and Board decisions in this case really highlight the lack of discretion that these adjudicators have when it comes to “adjusting” or “reducing” a health care provider’s length of exclusion for less than the period during which the individual’s license is suspended.  As the case noted, the Petitioner was also licensed in North Carolina, and presumably there were no restrictions on his North Carolina.[11]  Unfortunately, the fact that the Petitioner was fully licensed in North Carolina was irrelevant to the decisions of both the ALJ and the Board.  As 42 C.F.R. § 1001.501(b) expressly provides: 

“(b)Length of exclusion.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, an exclusion imposed in accordance with this section will not be for a period of time less than the period during which an individual’s or entity’s license is revoked, suspended, or otherwise not in effect as a result of, or in connection with, a State licensing agency action.”  (Emphasis Added).

So, what should a health care provider do if he or she receives notice that the OIG is seeking to exclude him or her based on a licensure suspension action?  It is important to keep in mind that a licensure-based exclusion action is a permissive action that may or may not be pursued by the OIG.  To the extent that there is any chance to convince the OIG that the agency should decline to exercise it permissive exclusion authority, now is the time for your legal counsel to make its pitch.

Once the OIG has formally exercised its permissive exclusion authority, the restrictions set forth under 42 C.F.R. § 1001.501(b) must be applied.  Neither an ALJ nor the Board has the discretion to deviate from the time period requirements imposed by statute.  Although the OIG rarely waives its discretion to pursue a permissive licensure-based exclusion action, providers should.

This case also serves as a stark reminder that neither an ALJ nor the Board is in a position to “weigh” the equities in a licensure-based exclusion case when assessing the length of time imposed for the exclusion.  Adjudicators are required by statute to determine whether an exclusion determination made by the OIG was consistent with the law.  Equitable arguments and evidence such as those submitted by the Petitioner in this case cannot be considered in a licensure-based exclusion case.  An individual cannot have an exclusion lifted until his or her license is reinstated.  Period. 

In recent years, the number of exclusion actions imposed by the OIG has continued to grow. While there is little or no flexibility with respect to some of the bases for exclusion, every case is based on a unique set of facts, some of which may present opportunities to negotiate a more favorable period of exclusion with OIG, or even avoid exclusion all together. 

We strongly recommend that you contact experienced health law counsel at the first sign that you may be excluded from participation in Federal and State health care programs.  In terms of strategy, a health care provider’s best course of action is to engage experienced health law counsel at the earliest opportunity, preferably before an adverse action has been taken against your professional license.  A comprehensive response strategy is essential so that you minimize the adverse collateral effects of an adverse licensure action.  The attorneys at Liles Parker have extensive experience representing health care providers in exclusion-related proceedings. 


Need help with your required monthly Exclusion Screening verification? Call us at 1-800-294-0952 or fill out the form below for more information and a free consultation and assessment of your needs!






OIG Exclusion exclusion actionRobert W. Liles serves as Managing Partner at the health law firm, Liles Parker, Attorneys and Counselors at Law.  Liles Parker attorneys represent health care providers and suppliers around the country in connection with UPIC audits, OIG exclusion actions and state licensure board disciplinary proceedings.  Has an exclusion action been proposed against your license?  We can help.  For a free initial consultation regarding your situation, call Robert at:  1 (800) 475-1906.

[1] The term “Federal health care programs” is defined under Section 1128B(f) of the Social Security Act as:
(1) any plan or program that provides health benefits, whether directly, through insurance, or otherwise, which is funded directly, in whole or in part, by the United States Government (other than the health insurance program under chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code); or
(2) any State health care program, as defined in section 1128(h).
42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(f) (2012).
[2]See Updated: Special Advisory Bulletin on the Effect of Exclusion from Participation in Federal Health Care Programs, U.S. Dep’t of Health & Human Servs.: Office of Inspector Gen., at 2-3 (May 8, 2013) (stating that ““. . . the Secretary has delegated authority to OIG to exclude from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal health care programs persons that have engaged in fraud or abuse and to impose civil money penalties (CMPs) for certain misconduct related to Federal health care programs”).
[3] The OIG maintains a website containing up-to-date information on federal health care program exclusion rules, which can be found at http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/exclusions.asp.
[4] While Public Law 95-142’s “exclusion” provisions are important, the legislation is best known for its impact on the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute.  More specifically, the legislation made violations of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute a felony. It also made those who offered remuneration for referrals and those who received them, subject to various penalties.
[5] Under the government’s mandatory exclusion authority (as set out under Section 1128(a) of the Social Security Act), any individual or entity convicted of certain offenses must be excluded from participation in federal health care programs.  The length of a mandatory exclusion action taken can last a minimum of five years.
[6] Depending on the circumstances, OIG may also exercise “permissive” or discretionary authority to exclude an entity or an individual from participation in federal health care programs.
[7] Under 42 USC §1320a-7(b)(4), any individual or entity whose professional license to provide health care has been revoked or suspended, or has lost the right to apply for a license, CAN be excluded from participation, at OIG’s options.
[8] DAB ALJ Decision No. CR4985, dated December 13, 2017.
[9] DAB Appellate Div. Decision No. 2848, dated February 6, 2018.
[10] Under the Virginia Code, the Board of Medicine may suspend a license indefinitely for “acts of unprofessional conduct,” which include “knowingly and willfully” committing a felony; violating any statute or regulation relating to the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, or administration of drugs; and conviction of a felony.  See Virginia Code §§ 54.1-2915(A)(10), (17), and (20).
[11] This is an interesting point raised by the Petitioner. In some states, the revocation of a professional license is permanent and can only be reinstated upon the submission of a new application.  Even then the state board has the discretion of whether or not to consider the new application.  Theoretically, a health care provider could be licensed in 49 states and still be excluded due to a suspension action in the 50th state.
As an aside, the public record does not address whether North Carolina, like many states, normally imposes reciprocal disciplinary actions based on those taken in other jurisdictions.

Dental OIG Exclusions – A Review of 2017 Actions.

Dental OIG exclusion(January 12, 2018):  The Medicare and Medicaid programs are both essential, yet costly health benefit programs sponsored in whole or in part by the Federal government.  With Medicare and Medicaid costing $686 and $368 billion each year, respectively, the government has dedicated experienced investigators, auditors and prosecutors to ferret out incidents of health care fraud and abuse. While most health care fraud administrative, civil and / or criminal cases are brought against medical providers, dental providers and the members of their staff are increasingly finding that their actions are under scrutiny by Federal and State regulators. A prime example is illustrated by the various “dental OIG exclusion” actions taken against dentists and dentist office staff last year during 2017.[1] 

I. What is an “Exclusion” Action?

Simply put, under certain circumstances, the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) is mandated by law to “exclude” individuals and entities from participating in Federally funded health care program under 1128 of the Social Security Act (SSA),[2] and from Medicare and State health care programs under section 1156 of the SSA. Under other circumstances, HHS-OIG exercises the discretionary authority to decide whether or not to exclude a party.

During 2017, HHS-OIG took a number of administrative exclusions actions against dentists and dental practice personnel in order to meet their statutory obligations.  As set out below, a brief description of the exclusion actions taken against dental professionals, along the frequency of their occurrence are described in the section below.

II.  Exclusion Actions Taken Against Dentists and Dental Staff in 2017:

With the exception of the permanent revocation of one’s professional license, there is perhaps no administrative sanction that may be taken against a health care provider that is more serious than an exclusion action.  As we will discuss later in this article, the collateral impact of an exclusion action can be financially devastating to your dental practice.  In any event, there are a number of mandatory and permissive bases upon which HHS-OIG can base an exclusion action.  Depending on the reason for exclusion, an individual or entity can be excluded from an undetermined minimum period up to a permanent exclusion from participating in Federal health benefits programs.

Dentists and dental staff members are subject to exclusion and are regularly sanctioned by HHS-OIG.  During 2017, a handful of dental professionals were placed on HHS-OIG’s exclusion list most months but the reasons for exclusion were primarily grouped into the categories for exclusion described below:

42 U.S.C. §1320a-7(b)(14): Default on health education loan or scholarship obligations.  50% of all exclusions against dentists / dental staff. The largest group of dentists and dental office personnel excluded by HHS-OIG in 2017 were sanctioned on the basis of their default of one or more Federally-secured health education loans. Approximately 53.13% of the dental professionals and staff were excluded on this basis.  This is especially noteworthy when you consider the fact that only 2.38% of the total number of health care providers and other individuals excluded by HHS-OIG in 2017 were on the basis of a similar loan default.  Although it is never a “good” thing to be excluded from participating in Federal health benefits programs, health care providers who are excluded under this this provision are eligible to apply for reinstatement as soon as they resolve they resolve their loan default with the Federal government.  In the overall exclusion scheme, this is by far the most benign of all exclusion authorities. 

42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(a)(1): Conviction of program-related crimes. 18.75% of all exclusions against dentists / dental staff.  This mandatory exclusion provision was the second most frequent basis cited by HHS-OIG when sanctioning dentists and dental staff in 2017.  As an example, in one case, a Charleston, WV dentist admitted that he improperly engaged in upcoding with respect to at least 7,490 tooth extractions.  These extractions led to more than $1.3 million in billings. He further admitted that if those extractions were medically necessary, and if had actually performed the procedures he claimed, then he should have been paid only $599,200.  He next admitted that he submitted other false bills and improperly received payment.  As part of his plea agreement, the dentist agreed to pay $738,067 in restitution.  He also entered into a separate civil settlement agreed to be excluded from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs for 13 years.  Notably, across the board, among all health care providers and individuals, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(a)(1) was used as a basis for excluding individuals, in 39.09% of all cases.  In contrast, it was only cited in 18.75% of the cases involving dentists and dental staff.

42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(a)(3):  Felony conviction relating to health care fraud. 3.13% of all exclusions against dentists / dental staff.  This mandatory exclusion provision requires that HHS-OIG exclude an individual who is convicted of felony health care fraud for a minimum of 5 years.  In one 2017 case citing this basis for exclusion, a long-time claims manager in a dental practice went to the State Dental Board to complain that the dentist for whom she worked was engaging in fraud.  She alleged that he was billing Delta Health Systems[3] for dental services not rendered, performing medically-unnecessary dental services and offering cash and noncash incentives to his staff to make appointments. The claims manager was then implicated in the wrongdoing and both the dentist and the claims manager were charged with Federal crimes. The claims manager was subsequently sentenced to 21 months in prison and the dentist for whom she worked was sentenced to three years, 10 months in prison.  Both defendants were ordered to jointly pay $726,300 in restitution.  3.13% of the exclusion actions against dentists and dental staff were on the basis of 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(a)(3).  Similarly, 7.68% of the exclusion actions taken against all health care providers by HHS-OIG were on this basis. 

42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(4): License revocation, suspension, or surrender. 12.50% of all exclusions against dentists / dental staff.  Under this basis for permissive exclusion, HHS-OIG may choose to exclude a provider if the provider’s license is revoked, suspended or surrendered. In one 2017 case, the State of Utah alleged that the one of its licensed dentists had engaged in unprofessional conduct.  The conduct supposedly included using controlled substances from prescriptions written to family members, treating family members for opioid addiction without being trained to do so, having a conviction for impaired driving and providing false information on an application.  The dentist’s licenses were revoked, the revocations were stayed and the dentist’s licenses were placed on probation for five years. Based on the licensure actions taken, HHS-OIG exercised its permissive exclusion authority under 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(4).  Globally, licensure-based exclusion actions constituted 30.81% of the actions taken by HHS-OIG against health care providers and other individuals during 2017.  In contrast, only 12.50% of the exclusion actions against dentists and dental staff were based an underlying licensure disciplinary action.

42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(a)(4): Felony conviction relating to controlled substance. 6.25% of all exclusions against dentists / dental staff.  This mandatory basis for exclusion was only cited 6.25% of the time by HHS-OIG when sanctioning dentists and dental staff.  Consistent with its finding for dentists, HHS-OIG only based exclusions on this authority 5.63% of the time among all health care providers (and other individuals) during 2017.  In one of the cases we reviewed, a South Dakota dentist pleaded guilty to a charge of “Obtaining Possession of Controlled Substance by Fraud or Deception,” a Class 4 Felony.  In light of the plea, HHS-OIG was required by law to exclude the dentist from participation in Federal health benefits program for a minimum of 5 years.[4]  

Two other bases for exclusion, 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7(b)(3): Misdemeanor conviction relating to controlled substance, and 42 U.S.C. § 1128b7:  Fraud, kickbacks, and other prohibited activities, were infrequently cited by HHS-OIG in connection with exclusion actions it took against dentists during 2017.  None of the other mandatory or permissive exclusion authorities were relied upon by HHS-OIG when sanctioning dentists and / or dental personnel during 2017.

III.  Impact of Exclusion on Dentists and Dental Staff:

Former Federal prosecutor and the current Compliance Officer for Exclusion Screening, Paul Weidenfeld, best described the impact of an exclusion action when he stated:

“If an individual is excluded from participating in Federal health benefits programs, for all practical purposes, they are likely unemployable by anyone who accepts insurance from Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, FEHBP or another health benefit program that is funded in whole or in part by Federal funds. Moreover, each year we are seeing more and more private payors insist that their participating providers screen out any excluded employees, contractors, vendors and agents.
 
Ultimately, this is a matter of RISK.  You must screen your staff, vendors, agents and contractors every 30 days.  The last thing you want is to have a staff member with either a suspended / revoked license or a felony conviction for fraud or patient abuse working in your practice without your express knowledge.”

A. Are Your Lax Practices Exposing You to CMPs?

In 1981, Congress enacted the Civil Monetary Penalties (CMP) law, Public Law 97-35 codified at section 1128A of the Social Security Act).  Under this statute, HHS-OIG was authorized to impose CMPs against any individual or entity found to have submitted claims for payment by Medicare or Medicaid for items or services furnished by an excluded individual.  Since first being passed, there have been several additional statutes further expanding HHS-OIG’s authority to assess CMPs.  As it now stands, if a health care provider fails to properly screen to ensure that no excluded individuals are employed, virtually every claim that an excluded individual is associated with will be regarded as “tainted” and will be subject to CMPs.

B. Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover – Screen All Applicants Before Bringing on New Hires.

Merely asking an applicant on their application if they are currently excluded from Medicare or Medicaid (or have ever been excluded from Medicare or Medicaid) is totally insufficient.  After filling out one or two applications for employment, individuals who have been excluded are savvy enough to realize that anytime they check the box “YES,” they will not even qualify for an interview.  As a result, over the last year, our Firm has handled several voluntary disclosure matters where an applicant lied about his exclusion status in order to get a job.  Six to a year later, the provider learned that the new employee was excluded and had been excluded when initially hired at the practice.  The lesson to be learned is simple – you cannot rely on any assertions made by an applicant regarding the applicant’s exclusion status.  You need to verify it yourself, prior to onboarding a new hire.

C. Exclusions are Not Restricted to Merely Licensed Professionals:

The impact of an exclusion action on a health care provider’s ability to conduct business can be significant.  Moreover, the severe consequences of exclusion have been a constant warning of HHS-OIG since it first published its Special Advisory Bulletin in 1999 entitled “The Effect of Exclusion From Participation in Federal Health Care Programs.” 
Importantly, virtually anyone can be excluded from participation Federal health care programs.  Moreover, the adverse impact of an exclusion action is not merely limited to licensed individuals such as dentists, oral surgeons and / or dental hygienists.  Non-clinical staff who furnish administrative and management services that are payable by the Federal health care programs are also affected by an exclusion action and can expose your dental practice to liability.  As HHS-OIG’s “Special Advisory Bulletin on the Effect of Exclusion from Participation in Federal Health Care Programs” goes on to further clarify:
“. . . an excluded individual may not provide other types of administrative and management services, such as health information technology services and support, strategic planning, billing and accounting, staff training, and human resources, unless wholly unrelated to Federal health care programs.”

D. Exclusion Actions are Reported to the NPDB:

If an individual is excluded from participation in Federal health care benefits programs, HHS-OIG considers the matter to be a reportable event and will report the administrative sanction to the National Practitioner Databank (NPDB) for inclusion in its system.  As a result, all payors (both public and private), will be notified of the adverse action.   Since most dental practices participate in at least one dental insurance program, you are likely required to notify the payor of any adverse actions brought against you within 30 – 60 days of the event (the time to report varies from contract to contract).  Dentists placed in this position often find it difficult to effectively respond to private payor inquiries regarding an exclusion order.  If the dentist notifies a payor immediately after being excluded, most payors will initiate their own administrative review of the facts to determine whether they want to continue to allow the provider to continue work as a participating provider.  If a dentist fails to notify the payor of the exclusion action within the 30-60 day deadline imposed under the parties’ contract, a payor will typically initiate a termination action based on the provider’s breach of its contractual obligations.

IV.  The Solution – Reducing Your Level of Risk:

To reduce your level of risk, a dental provider should screen its applicants, clinical staff, administrative staff, contractors, vendors and agents on a monthly basis.  At the time of the writing of this article, there a total of 40 different databases that need to be checked.  These 40 databases include:

(1) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE). Maintained by HHS-OIG.
(2) System for Award Management (SAM). Maintained by the General Services Administration.
(3) 38 State Medicaid Exclusion Registries. Maintained by either the State Attorney General’s Office or the State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).

Neither the Federal nor the State governments currently maintain a “consolidated” database that incorporates all of the Medicare and Medicaid exclusion actions into a single records system that can easily be checked by providers.   From a practical standpoint, it is rarely cost-effective for a provider to check all 40 databases on an individual basis.  Therefore, we strongly recommend that you utilize the services of an organization such as Exclusion Screening.  Their services are inexpensive yet comprehensive.   

V.  Conclusion:

The implementation of an effective screening program is perhaps the least expensive step you can take to help bring your dental practice into at least partial compliance.  Although, it won’t satisfy all of your obligations as a health care provider, it is a significant step in the right direction and can greatly reduce your level of overall risk.  We therefore strongly recommend that you fully comply with the recommendations of HHS-OIG and screen your employees, contractors, agents and vendors every 30 days. 

If handling this task is too burdensome to complete in-house, call the Exclusion Experts at Exclusion Screening at 1-800-294-0952 or fill out the form below!

 



 

Healthcare AttorneyRobert W. Liles, J.D., M.B.A., M.S., serves as Managing Partner at Liles Parker, PLLC.  Liles Parker is a health law firm representing dentists and dental practices around the country in connection with Medicare, Medicaid and private payor audits.  We also represent dentists in State Dental Board disciplinary actions.  For a complimentary consultation, give Robert a call at: (202) 298-8750.

 

[1] Please keep in mind, the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) that is maintained by HHS-OIG only includes Medicare exclusion actions and other exclusion actions that have been reported to it by one of the states.  Despite their obligation to do so, many states do not report all or some of the exclusion actions they have taken against health care providers, individuals and entities.  For a complete analysis of the exclusion actions taken against dentists and dental staff in 2017, a review of each of the state exclusion actions taken must also be conducted.

[2] Under the provisions of the 1977 Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments, Public Law 95-142 (now codified at Section 1128 of the Social Security Act), physicians and other practitioners convicted of program-related crimes were first excluded from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
[3] In this case, Delta Health Systems was the program administrator for United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) employees.
[4] It is also worth noting that in a case where a pharmacist entered into an agreement to plead guilty if the state would not oppose a “deferred judgment,” HHS-OIG still took the position that it was appropriate to exclude the pharmacist from participation from participation in Federal health benefits programs. Unfortunately, the author does not give a citation for the case. HHS-OIG may have exercised its exclusion authority under one of the applicable permissive exclusion provisions.   

Health Care Fraud to Remain a DOJ Priority

Exclusion News (May 22, 2017):
By Paul Weidenfeld

Health Care Fraud will continue to be a high priority of the Department of Justice Kenneth Blanco, the Acting Head of the Criminal Division.  Describing health care fraud as “egregious,” “despicable” and driven by “greed” – Mr. Blanco, told the iABA Health Care Fraud Institute last week. went on to say that the department would be “vigorous” in its pursuit of those who violate the law in this area.”

Department of Justice announcements of its commitment to health care fraud enforcement are common and would hardly have been noticed in prior administrations. But by going out of his way to “be clear” that health care fraud is “something that Attorney General Sessions feels very strongly about” and remains a “priority” for DOJ, Mr. Blanco appears to be sending the message that health care fraud had not been left behind in a Justice Department that has been pursuing several new initiatives and has several new areas of focus. 

A Concern that Health Care Fraud Deprives Care to the those in Need

While patient safety and financial costs have been the longstanding focus of health care fraud enforcement, Mr. Blanco told the conference attendees that money stolen is “important,” but that his focus was on the impact that health care fraud has by denying services to those in need. In his view, health care fraud “deprives many people of access to medical care, even the most basic forms of care, because fraud increases the costs for all of us and shuts out those who are the most needy or those in society who are just making it.”

The assertion that there is a direct linkage between health care fraud and the deprivation of services to certain specific segments of the population appears to stake out new ground in the fight against health care fraud. It will be interesting to see if this slight shift in concerns results in any change in health care fraud enforcement policies or investigation goals.

Data Mining and Information Sharing Driving Enforcement

Mr. Blanco also discussed recent investigations and stressed that the “cooperative partnerships” between the criminal division strike force, the investigative agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Offices were critical to the recent enforcement successes. To this point, he noted that last years “national health care fraud takedown” involved 36 separate U.S. Attorney’s Offices and many State Medicaid Fraud Control Units while resulting in charges against 301 individuals and alleged false billings in the amount of $900 million.

The wide array of investigative and prosecutorial tools at the divisions disposal and the advanced data mining techniques being employed were also credited. As Mr. Blanco stated, “We now have an in-house data analytics team headed by some of the best and brightest. Analyzing billing data from CMS has become a key part of our investigations because it permits us to focus on the most aggravated cases and to identify quickly emerging schemes and new types of Medicare fraud…We have the opportunity to halt schemes as they develop. This cutting-edge method has truly revolutionized how we investigate and prosecute health care fraud.”

Final Thoughts 

The Justice Department may have new leadership, new interests and new initiatives, but last week appears to be intended to send a “clear” message that it’s interest and focus on health care fraud will remain strong under Mr. Sessions.  It will be interesting, however, to keep an eye on whether there is a “shift” in focus to a consideration of the impact of fraud upon the long term availability of services; and if so, what form that shift might take in terms of future cases or initiatives.

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