OIG Upgrades its Exclusions Search to include NPIs

In the June 2013 List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) update, OIG has added new information into the Online Exclusions Database and the LEIE Downloadable Databases. The new information is the National Provider Identifier, a Waiver, and Waiver State. Also, the online search of the LEIE has been redesigned. OIG has the authority to waive an individual or entity’s exclusion from participating as a provider in Federal health programs. Waivers are only available for those excluded providers who are the sole community physician or the sole source of essential specialized services in a community. Waivers cannot be granted to anyone excluded based on a conviction related to patient neglect or abuse. OIG has added NPIs to LEIE records starting in 2008 and will include NPIs in LEIE records on a forward-going basis. Please note that not every individual or entity that is excluded has an NPI to add. Therefore, many records will not include information in the NPI field.