Office of Inspector General (OIG) Exclusion Program

Summary

This practice note discusses the federal government's exclusion of individuals and entities from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federally funded healthcare programs. Federal law authorizes the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to exclude individuals or entities from these programs if they provide items or services or submit claims for items or services to federally funded healthcare programs through fraud or in violation of other practice standards or laws. Attorneys representing individuals and entities providing healthcare items or services paid for by federal healthcare programs must understand these laws so they can advise their clients about the exclusion program, the exclusion process, and the impact of civil monetary penalties.