CMS Granted Expanded Authority to Exclude Healthcare Providers from Federal Programs

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has empowered the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with new authority to exclude healthcare providers from federal programs, a power previously held primarily by the OIG. This change is expected to increase enforcement actions against entities participating in Medicare and Medicaid, requiring providers to enhance their compliance and risk assessment strategies to avoid potential exclusions.