The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) provides a website for organizations to search for both individuals and businesses that may be on the OIG exclusion list. The check is critical to any business receiving funds from the Center for Medicare Services (CMS). For example, if an individual employed by your organization is on a transport for which reimbursement is sought from Medicare, and the employee is found to be on the exclusion list, payment for services may need to be forfeited. This also holds true for any other business with which your organization conducts business.

A sample standard operating guideline is available and should be reviewed, modified as necessary by your organization and placed into use.

To avoid these issues, VFIS recommends the following frequency of OIG checks;

• Using the OIG website, https://exclusions.oig.hhs.gov/ conduct monthly or more frequent check for exclusion on all employees or volunteers. Print or store the results of these checks by paper or electronic file.
• Maintain and update a list of vendors with whom you work with. Each business should submit W-9s to you. This federal form provides you with their tax identification number, corporate name, ficticious name (if applicable), complete address and should be signed by someone within the organization.
• Monthly checks via the OIG exclusion website on all vendors with whom you do business. Most important is to check businesses with whom you do business and seek reimbursement from Medicare or to which your organization subcontracts. Print or store the results of the check by paper or electronic file.