The List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE), which can be found on the website of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), helps the federal government guard against fraud and abuse while keeping patients and healthcare entities safe. Those who bill the government for services provided by a medical professional on the LEIE not only will be denied reimbursement but also can expect severe penalties for hiring or employing an excluded provider. States also maintain similar databases, such as New Jersey’s NJ Debarment List. Healthcare entities can avoid hiring an excluded provider by regularly screening against state and federal exclusion lists. While the New Jersey government does not require healthcare entities to use compliance programs, these can help a practice stay organized, responsible, accountable, and legally compliant.
