Healthcare Alert: OIG issues updated advisory

It is more important than ever that healthcare providers ensure that no current employee or contractor has been excluded from the federal healthcare program. The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) has statutory authority to exclude people from federal healthcare programs, including Medicare. Any reimbursement claim that derives from goods or services provided by an excluded person will be denied. Moreover, if a healthcare provider employs or contracts with a person who it knows or should know is excluded by the OIG, the provider is subject to fines and treble damages.