What is an OIG check?

Asked by: Annie Shields  |  Last update: July 26, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (42 votes)

Conducting an OIG background check for employment can help healthcare employers mitigate risk, meet industry requirements, and provide quality patient care. An OIG background check searches the OIG exclusion list for individuals or entities banned from participating in federally funded healthcare programs.

What is the purpose of an OIG check?

An OIG screening involves searching the LEIE database to check whether an applicant or employee has been excluded from participating in state and federal healthcare programs.

How does someone get on the OIG exclusion list?

Mandatory exclusions: OIG is required by law to exclude from participation in all Federal health care programs individuals and entities convicted of the following types of criminal offenses: Medicare or Medicaid fraud, as well as any other offenses related to the delivery of items or services under Medicare, Medicaid, ...

What is a monthly OIG check?

An “OIG check” is the process of ascertaining whether a particular individual or entity is found on the HHS Office of Inspector General's List of Excluded Individual/Entities (LEIE).

What does the OIG stand for?

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is a statutorily created independent entity whose mission is to detect and deter waste, fraud, abuse, and misconduct in the Department of Justice, and to promote economy and efficiency in the Department's operations.

What Is An OIG GSA Background Check? - CountyOffice.org

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What triggers an OIG investigation?

The investigations process begins when OIG receives through its Hotline or other communication a complaint or allegation of fraud, waste, abuse, or other gross misconduct that affects the programs or operations of USAID, MCC, USADF, IAF, or DFC.

How to get an OIG background check?

Employers can check the OIG exclusion list online or work with a qualified background check provider, like Checkr, to conduct a comprehensive OIG criminal background check. Healthcare workers or contractors who typically undergo OIG background screenings include: Physicians. Nurses.

What does OIG do in healthcare?

To help health care providers such as hospitals and physicians comply with relevant Federal health care laws and regulations, OIG creates compliance resources, which are often tailored to particular providers.

How often should OIG be checked?

The OIG suggests checking the list at least once a month, as names are constantly being added or removed. Monthly screening can guarantee that your staff is in compliance and that your facility can continue to serve Medicaid, Medicare, and other government healthcare beneficiaries.

Is OIG a criminal justice agency?

An investigation looks into possible violations of law, regulation, or policy; consequently, the OIG conducts criminal, civil, and/or administrative investigations. The results may lead to criminal sanctions, civil penalties, or administrative actions against individual(s), contractors, companies, or their staff.

What should be reported to the OIG?

The Allegations that should be reported to the OIG Hotline include, but are not limited to: Employee corruption, civil rights and civil liberties abuses, program fraud and financial crimes, and miscellaneous criminal and non-criminal activity associated with waste, abuse, mismanagement or misconduct affecting the ...

Who is in charge of the OIG?

Michael E. Horowitz was sworn in as the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on April 16, 2012, following his confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

What are risk areas identified by the OIG?

In the GCPG, OIG outlines the following common risk areas: billing, coding, sales, marketing, quality of care, patient incentives, and arrangements with physicians, other health care providers, vendors, and other potential sources or recipients of referrals of health care business.

What happens if you are in an exclusion list?

Those that are excluded can receive no payment from Federal health care programs for any items or services they furnish, order, or prescribe. This includes those that provide health benefits funded directly or indirectly by the United States (other than the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan).

How long do OIG exclusions last?

Most exclusions have a specific term length, often 5 years. At the end of your OIG exclusion term, you MUST apply for reinstatement and receive an authorized notice from the OIG that your request was granted. Only then will you be able to participate in all federal healthcare programs (Medicare and Medicaid).

How to get off OIG exclusion list?

To apply for reinstatement, an excluded individual or entity must send a written request which contains the individual's or entity's full name (if excluded under a different name, please also include that name), date of birth for an individual, telephone number, email address and mailing address.

What is the purpose of the OIG exclusion list?

OIG's LEIE provides information to the health care industry, patients and the public regarding individuals and entities currently excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs. Individuals and entities who have been reinstated are removed from the LEIE.

What does a typical OIG report detail?

OIG reports contain findings of its audits and evaluations, assess how well HHS programs and grantees/contractors are working, identify risks to the people they serve and to taxpayers, and recommend necessary improvements.

What information can be obtained by reviewing the OIG work plan?

The OIG Work Plan sets forth various projects including OIG audits and evaluations that are underway or planned to be addressed during the fiscal year and beyond by OIG's Office of Audit Services and Office of Evaluation and Inspections.

How long does an OIG investigation take?

Other than applicable statutes of limitation in criminal cases, OIG has no internal time limits. A complicated investigation may require a substantial period of time to complete. A simple investigation may be open over a long period of time, pending availability of resources.

Why would I get a letter from the Office of Inspector General?

The Inspector General occasionally issues letters to health care providers alerting them to OIG policies and processes; inviting them to engage in our anti-fraud initiatives; and updating them on our ongoing projects to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in Federal health programs.

What is an OIG case?

DOJ OIG Special Agents investigate alleged violations of fraud, abuse and integrity laws that govern DOJ employees, operations, grantees and contractors. These investigations sometimes lead to criminal prosecution or civil or administrative action.

What does OIG look for?

Since its 1976 establishment, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has been at the forefront of the Nation's efforts to fight waste, fraud and abuse and to improve the efficiency of Medicare, Medicaid and more than 100 other Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) programs.

What shows up on a government background check?

The appointment of any civilian employee to a position in the Federal Government is subject to a background investigation. Examples of factors investigated with a background evaluation are an applicant's employment history, past illegal drug use, and previous records criminal.

How do you fight a background check?

Seek Legal Help if Needed

If your background check includes information that's inaccurate, outdated, or improperly reported, you have rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). You can: Dispute Errors: Contact the reporting agency to request corrections or removals of incorrect information.