OIG Exclusion Fines Skyrocket in 2014

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Feb. 17, 2015 - PRLog -- Nashville, TN – February 17th, 2015 -- In 2014, both the number and amount of fines by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) to health care organizations who do not comply with exclusion regulations regarding employment, skyrocketed last year according to the new Compliance Healthcare Index Report, CHIRP,(info.providertrust.com/CHIRP) just released by ProviderTrust, Inc.

The report found the OIG has sharply increased its focus, fines and enforcement actions from 2009-2014.  Health care companies have paid record fines for hiring/contracting with persons/entities that have been excluded for reimbursement due to criminal history and/or licensure issues.

According to CHIRP, there were 75 companies fined by the OIG in 2014, resulting in more than $9 millionin total fines, or an average fine of $121,000 per excluded person/entity, almost double the amount of fines given in 2013.

ProviderTrust provides healthcare employee and vendor monitoring software that helps facilities comply with changing government regulations by checking all federal exclusion lists and all 35 individual state Medicaid exclusion lists.  It created CHIRP to raise awareness of the potential risk to healthcare organizations that do not comply with regulations regarding employment.

“Since CMS programs are prohibited from reimbursing facilities for items/services provided by an employee, contractor or third party that is excluded and found in national and state exclusion databases, we felt it is important for facilities to be aware of the OIG’s increased oversight of potential violations,” said Michael Rosen, Co-Founder of ProviderTrust, Inc.

CHIRP identifies where there are gaps in public records that can be misleading or even result in possible exposure to liability, if not understood.

Rosen also noted, “CHIRP found an increase in fines levied against long-term care and rehab companies, hospital systems and medical groups.”

To receive the complete 2014 CHIRP report: copy and past this link > http://info.providertrust.com/CHIRP

About ProviderTrust: (http://www.providertrust.com/)

Nashville-based ProviderTrust, Inc is a national healthcare compliance service that helps facilities stay in compliance with regulations and maintain trust in their providers and staff.

The core products automate OIG exclusion lists, professional credentials, licenses and disciplinary actions for all employees and vendors by providing matched records on an ongoing basis.