Why Exclusion Searching?
♦ The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) has the power to exclude individuals and entities from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and other Federal health care programs
♦ Once excluded, no program payments can be made for items or services furnished by this individual
♦ All providers must take steps to insure that they do not hire, contract with, or provide services ordered (and certified) by an individual or entity that has been excluded
♦ Failure to do so can be financially catastrophic, with penalties in excess of $50,000 or more