United States Code (Last Updated: May 24, 2014) |
Title 42. THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE |
Chapter 7. SOCIAL SECURITY |
SubChapter XI. GENERAL PROVISIONS, PEER REVIEW, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION |
Part A. General Provisions |
§ 1320a–7. Exclusion of certain individuals and entities from participation in Medicare and State health care programs
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(a) Mandatory exclusion The Secretary shall exclude the following individuals and entities from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in section 1320a–7b(f) of this title): (1) Conviction of program-related crimes Any individual or entity that has been convicted of a criminal offense related to the delivery of an item or service under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under any State health care program.
(2) Conviction relating to patient abuse Any individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, of a criminal offense relating to neglect or abuse of patients in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service.
(3) Felony conviction relating to health care fraud Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after
August 21, 1996 , under Federal or State law, in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service or with respect to any act or omission in a health care program (other than those specifically described in paragraph (1)) operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency, of a criminal offense consisting of a felony relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct.(4) Felony conviction relating to controlled substance Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after
August 21, 1996 , under Federal or State law, of a criminal offense consisting of a felony relating to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, prescription, or dispensing of a controlled substance.(b) Permissive exclusion The Secretary may exclude the following individuals and entities from participation in any Federal health care program (as defined in section 1320a–7b(f) of this title): (1) Conviction relating to fraud Any individual or entity that has been convicted for an offense which occurred after August 21, 1996 , under Federal or State law—(A) of a criminal offense consisting of a misdemeanor relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct— (i) in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service, or (ii) with respect to any act or omission in a health care program (other than those specifically described in subsection (a)(1) of this section) operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency; or (B) of a criminal offense relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct with respect to any act or omission in a program (other than a health care program) operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency. (2) Conviction relating to obstruction of an investigation or audit Any individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, in connection with the interference with or obstruction of any investigation or audit related to— (i) any offense described in paragraph (1) or in subsection (a); or (ii) the use of funds received, directly or indirectly, from any Federal health care program (as defined in section 1320a–7b(f) of this title). (3) Misdemeanor conviction relating to controlled substance Any individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, of a criminal offense consisting of a misdemeanor relating to the unlawful manufacture, distribution, prescription, or dispensing of a controlled substance.
(4) License revocation or suspension Any individual or entity— (A) whose license to provide health care has been revoked or suspended by any State licensing authority, or who otherwise lost such a license or the right to apply for or renew such a license, for reasons bearing on the individual’s or entity’s professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity, or (B) who surrendered such a license while a formal disciplinary proceeding was pending before such an authority and the proceeding concerned the individual’s or entity’s professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity. (5) Exclusion or suspension under Federal or State health care program Any individual or entity which has been suspended or excluded from participation, or otherwise sanctioned, under— (A) any Federal program, including programs of the Department of Defense or the Department of Veterans Affairs, involving the provision of health care, or (B) a State health care program, for reasons bearing on the individual’s or entity’s professional competence, professional performance, or financial integrity. (6) Claims for excessive charges or unnecessary services and failure of certain organizations to furnish medically necessary services Any individual or entity that the Secretary determines— (A) has submitted or caused to be submitted bills or requests for payment (where such bills or requests are based on charges or cost) under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State health care program containing charges (or, in applicable cases, requests for payment of costs) for items or services furnished substantially in excess of such individual’s or entity’s usual charges (or, in applicable cases, substantially in excess of such individual’s or entity’s costs) for such items or services, unless the Secretary finds there is good cause for such bills or requests containing such charges or costs; (B) has furnished or caused to be furnished items or services to patients (whether or not eligible for benefits under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under a State health care program) substantially in excess of the needs of such patients or of a quality which fails to meet professionally recognized standards of health care; (C) is— (i) a health maintenance organization (as defined in section 1396b(m) of this title) providing items and services under a State plan approved under subchapter XIX of this chapter, or (ii) an entity furnishing services under a waiver approved under section 1396n(b)(1) of this title, and has failed substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or the contract with the State under subchapter XIX of this chapter) to be provided to individuals covered under that plan or waiver, if the failure has adversely affected (or has a substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) these individuals; or (D) is an entity providing items and services as an eligible organization under a risk-sharing contract under section 1395mm of this title and has failed substantially to provide medically necessary items and services that are required (under law or such contract) to be provided to individuals covered under the risk-sharing contract, if the failure has adversely affected (or has a substantial likelihood of adversely affecting) these individuals. (7) Fraud, kickbacks, and other prohibited activities Any individual or entity that the Secretary determines has committed an act which is described in section 1320a–7a, 1320a–7b, or 1320a–8 of this title.
(8) Entities controlled by a sanctioned individual Any entity with respect to which the Secretary determines that a person— (A) (i) who has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest of 5 percent or more in the entity or with an ownership or control interest (as defined in section 1320a–3(a)(3) of this title) in that entity, (ii) who is an officer, director, agent, or managing employee (as defined in section 1320a–5(b) of this title) of that entity; or (iii) who was described in clause (i) but is no longer so described because of a transfer of ownership or control interest, in anticipation of (or following) a conviction, assessment, or exclusion described in subparagraph (B) against the person, to an immediate family member (as defined in subsection (j)(1) of this section) or a member of the household of the person (as defined in subsection (j)(2) of this section) who continues to maintain an interest described in such clause— is a person— (B) (i) who has been convicted of any offense described in subsection (a) of this section or in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subsection; (ii) against whom a civil monetary penalty has been assessed under section 1320a–7a or 1320a–8 of this title; or (iii) who has been excluded from participation under a program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or under a State health care program. (9) Failure to disclose required information Any entity that did not fully and accurately make any disclosure required by section 1320a–3 of this title, section 1320a–3a of this title, or section 1320a–5 of this title.
(10) Failure to supply requested information on subcontractors and suppliers Any disclosing entity (as defined in section 1320a–3(a)(2) of this title) that fails to supply (within such period as may be specified by the Secretary in regulations) upon request specifically addressed to the entity by the Secretary or by the State agency administering or supervising the administration of a State health care program— (A) full and complete information as to the ownership of a subcontractor (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) with whom the entity has had, during the previous 12 months, business transactions in an aggregate amount in excess of $25,000, or (B) full and complete information as to any significant business transactions (as defined by the Secretary in regulations), occurring during the five-year period ending on the date of such request, between the entity and any wholly owned supplier or between the entity and any subcontractor. (11) Failure to supply payment information Any individual or entity furnishing, ordering, referring for furnishing, or certifying the need for items or services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII of this chapter or a State health care program that fails to provide such information as the Secretary or the appropriate State agency finds necessary to determine whether such payments are or were due and the amounts thereof, or has refused to permit such examination of its records by or on behalf of the Secretary or that agency as may be necessary to verify such information.
(12) Failure to grant immediate access Any individual or entity that fails to grant immediate access, upon reasonable request (as defined by the Secretary in regulations) to any of the following: (A) To the Secretary, or to the agency used by the Secretary, for the purpose specified in the first sentence of section 1395aa(a) of this title (relating to compliance with conditions of participation or payment). (B) To the Secretary or the State agency, to perform the reviews and surveys required under State plans under paragraphs (26), (31), and (33) of section 1396a(a) of this title and under section 1396b(g) of this title. (C) To the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, for the purpose of reviewing records, documents, and other data necessary to the performance of the statutory functions of the Inspector General. (D) To a State medicaid fraud control unit (as defined in section 1396b(q) of this title), for the purpose of conducting activities described in that section. (13) Failure to take corrective action Any hospital that fails to comply substantially with a corrective action required under section 1395ww(f)(2)(B) of this title.
(14) Default on health education loan or scholarship obligations Any individual who the Secretary determines is in default on repayments of scholarship obligations or loans in connection with health professions education made or secured, in whole or in part, by the Secretary and with respect to whom the Secretary has taken all reasonable steps available to the Secretary to secure repayment of such obligations or loans, except that (A) the Secretary shall not exclude pursuant to this paragraph a physician who is the sole community physician or sole source of essential specialized services in a community if a State requests that the physician not be excluded, and (B) the Secretary shall take into account, in determining whether to exclude any other physician pursuant to this paragraph, access of beneficiaries to physician services for which payment may be made under subchapter XVIII or XIX of this chapter.
(15) Individuals controlling a sanctioned entity (A) Any individual— (i) who has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest in a sanctioned entity and who knows or should know (as defined in section 1320a–7a(i)(6) of subchapter XX of this chapter or from an allotment to a State under such division, or (4) a State child health plan approved under subchapter XXI of this chapter. (i) “Convicted” defined For purposes of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, an individual or entity is considered to have been “convicted” of a criminal offense— (1) when a judgment of conviction has been entered against the individual or entity by a Federal, State, or local court, regardless of whether there is an appeal pending or whether the judgment of conviction or other record relating to criminal conduct has been expunged; (2) when there has been a finding of guilt against the individual or entity by a Federal, State, or local court; (3) when a plea of guilty or nolo contendere by the individual or entity has been accepted by a Federal, State, or local court; or (4) when the individual or entity has entered into participation in a first offender, deferred adjudication, or other arrangement or program where judgment of conviction has been withheld. (j) Definition of immediate family member and member of household For purposes of subsection (b)(8)(A)(iii) of this section: (1) The term “immediate family member” means, with respect to a person— (A) the husband or wife of the person; (B) the natural or adoptive parent, child, or sibling of the person; (C) the stepparent, stepchild, stepbrother, or stepsister of the person; (D) the father-, mother-, daughter-, son-, brother-, or sister-in-law of the person; (E) the grandparent or grandchild of the person; and (F) the spouse of a grandparent or grandchild of the person. (2) The term “member of the household” means, with respect to any person, any individual sharing a common abode as part of a single family unit with the person, including domestic employees and others who live together as a family unit, but not including a roomer or boarder.
References In Text
Division A of subchapter XX, referred to in subsec. (h)(3), was in the original a reference to subtitle 1 of title XX, which was translated as if referring to subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Title XX of the Act, enacting subchapter XX of this chapter, does not contain a subtitle 1.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6408(c), inserted “or audit” after “investigation” in the heading, substituted “investigation or audit related to—” for “investigation into any criminal offense described in paragraph (1) or in subsection (a) of this section.”, and added cls. (i) and (ii).
Subsec. (b)(11). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6406(c), inserted “, ordering, referring for furnishing, or certifying the need for” after “furnishing”.
Subsec. (b)(16). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6402(d)(1), added par. (16).
Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6402(k), substituted “beneficiaries (as defined in section 1320a–7a(i)(5) of this title) of that program” for “individuals entitled to benefits under part A of subchapter XVIII of this chapter or enrolled under part B of such subchapter, or both”.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6402(e), added par. (4).
Subsec. (h)(3). Pub. L. 111–148, § 6703(d)(3)(A), inserted “division A of” before “subchapter XX” and substituted “such division” for “such subchapter”.
2003—Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 108–173 amended first sentence generally. Prior to amendment, first sentence read as follows: “Subject to subparagraph (G), in the case of an exclusion under subsection (a) of this section, the minimum period of exclusion shall be not less than five years, except that, upon the request of a State, the Secretary may waive the exclusion under subsection (a)(1) of this section in the case of an individual or entity that is the sole community physician or sole source of essential specialized services in a community.”
1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4331(c)(1), substituted “any Federal health care program (as defined in section 1320a–7b(f) of this title)” for “any program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter and shall direct that the following individuals and entities be excluded from participation in any State health care program (as defined in subsection (h) of this section)” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4331(c)(2), substituted “any Federal health care program (as defined in section 1320a–7b(f) of this title)” for “any program under subchapter XVIII of this chapter and may direct that the following individuals and entities be excluded from participation in any State health care program” in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (b)(8)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4303(a)(1), added cl. (iii).
Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4301(1), inserted “or in the case described in subparagraph (G)” after “subsection (b)(12) of this section”.
Subsec. (c)(3)(B), (D). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4301(2), substituted “Subject to subparagraph (G), in the case” for “In the case”.
Subsec. (c)(3)(G). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4301(3), added subpar. (G).
Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4901(b)(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 105–33, § 4303(a)(2), added subsec. (j).
1996—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 104–191, § 211(a)(1), added par. (3).
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 104–191, § 211(b)(1), added par. (4).
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 104–191, § 211(a)(2), reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Any individual or entity that has been convicted, under Federal or State law, in connection with the delivery of a health care item or service or with respect to any act or omission in a program operated by or financed in whole or in part by any Federal, State, or local government agency, of a criminal offense relating to fraud, theft, embezzlement, breach of fiduciary responsibility, or other financial misconduct.”
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 104–191, § 211(b)(2), substituted “Misdemeanor conviction” for “conviction” in heading and “criminal offense consisting of a misdemeanor” for “criminal offense” in text.
Subsec. (b)(15). Pub. L. 104–191, § 213, added par. (15).
Subsec. (c)(3)(D) to (F). Pub. L. 104–191, § 212, added subpars. (D) to (F).
1994—Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 103–296, § 206(b)(2)(A), substituted “section 1320a–7a, 1320a–7b, or 1230a–8 of this title” for “section 1320a–7a of this title or section 1320a–7b of this title”.
Subsec. (b)(8)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 103–296, § 206(b)(2)(B), inserted “or 1320a–8” after “section 1320a–7a”.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(9)(A), inserted before period at end “, except that, in so applying such sections and section 405(l) of this title, any reference therein to the Commissioner of Social Security or the Social Security Administration shall be considered a reference to the Secretary or the Department of Health and Human Services, respectively”.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 103–296, § 206(b)(2)(C), inserted “, 1320a–8,” after “sections 1320a–7a”.
Pub. L. 103–296, § 108(b)(9)(B), inserted before period at end “, except that, in so applying such section and section 405(l) of this title, any reference therein to the Commissioner of Social Security shall be considered a reference to the Secretary”.
1991—Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 102–54 substituted “Department of Veterans Affairs” for “Veterans’ Administration”.
1990—Subsec. (b)(9). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “section 1320a–3 of this title, section 1320a–3a of this title,” for “section 1320a–3 of this title”.
1989—Subsec. (b)(4)(A). Pub. L. 101–239 inserted “or the right to apply for or renew such a license” after “lost such a license”.
1988—Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(D), added Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(3)–(5), which amended subsec. (b)(8)(A)(i), (d)(1), (3)(A), and (i). See 1987 Amendment notes below.
Subsec. (d)(3)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(C), struck out “under a program” after “longer than the period of exclusion”.
1987—Pub. L. 100–93 amended section generally, substituting subsecs. (a) to (i) for former subsecs. (a) to (f).
Subsec. (b)(8)(A)(i). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(3), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(D), inserted at beginning “who has a direct or indirect ownership or control interest of 5 percent or more in the entity or”.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(4)(A), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(D), substituted “this section and section 1320a–7a of this title” for “subsection (b) of this section”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(A). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(4)(B), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(D), struck out “under a program” after “any period of exclusion”.
Subsec. (d)(3)(B). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(2), designated existing provisions as cl. (i) and added cl. (ii).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(5)(A), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(D), substituted “an individual or entity” for “a physician or other individual” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(5)(B), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(D), which directed amendment of pars. (1) to (4) by substituting “individual or entity” for “physician or other individual” each place it appears, was executed by substituting “individual or entity” for “physician or individual” in pars. (1) to (4) as the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (i)(4). Pub. L. 100–203, § 4118(e)(5)(C), as added by Pub. L. 100–360, § 411(k)(10)(D), substituted “first offender, deferred adjudication, or other arrangement or program” for “first offender or other program”.
1986—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–509 added subsec. (f).
1984—Subsecs. (b) to (e). Pub. L. 98–369 added subsec. (b), redesignated former subsecs. (b) to (d) as (c) to (e), respectively, and in subsec. (e) substituted “Any person or entity” for “Any person” and “(a), (b), or (c)” for “(a) or (b)”.
1981—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2105(b)(1), struck out “, for such period as he may deem appropriate,” after “subchapter XVIII of this chapter”.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2353(k), substituted in subpar. (A) “subchapter XIX of this chapter” for “subchapter XIX or subchapter XX of this chapter,” and in subpar. (B) “subchapter XIX of this chapter” for “subchapter XIX or subchapter XX of this chapter”.
Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 97–35, § 2105(b)(2)–(4), added subsec. (b), redesignated former subsecs. (b) and (c) as (c) and (d), respectively, and in subsec. (d) as so redesignated substituted “subsection (a) or (b)” for “subsection (a)”.
Effective Date Of Amendment
Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, § 6406(d),
Pub. L. 111–148, title VI, § 6408(d),
Pub. L. 105–33, title IV, § 4303(b),
Amendments by section 4331(c) of Pub. L. 105–33 effective
Pub. L. 104–191, title II, § 218,
Amendment by section 108(b)(9) of Pub. L. 103–296 effective
Pub. L. 103–296, title II, § 206(b)(3),
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–508 applicable with respect to items or services furnished on or after
Pub. L. 101–239, title VI, § 6411(d)(4)[(A)],
Except as specifically provided in section 411 of Pub. L. 100–360, amendment by Pub. L. 100–360, as it relates to a provision in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Pub. L. 100–203, effective as if included in the enactment of that provision in Pub. L. 100–203, see section 411(a) of Pub. L. 100–360 set out as a Reference to OBRA; Effective Date note under section 106 of Title 1, General Provisions.
Pub. L. 100–93, § 15,
Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9317(d)(3),
Pub. L. 98–369, div. B, title III, § 2333(c),
Amendment by section 2353(k) of Pub. L. 97–35 effective