Tag: Department of Health and Human Services

Montana Hospital Reaches Settlement for Hiring OIG Excluded Worker Who Bypassed Background Check October 7, 2022 A Montana state-controlled psychiatric hospital has reached a $90,000 settlement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG). The settlement addresses the alleged hiring of an employee subject to exclusion by the OIG. Investigations revealed the employee used a fake name in hiring, bypassing a background check that would have discovered red flags in her employment history. For some background, the OIG provides a list of excluded individuals and entities barred from participating in federal healthcare funding programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare. This list is the most severe sanction the OIG imposes. Healthcare providers may be subject to civil monetary penalties for hiring an excluded individual. According to a spokesperson from the Montana DPHHS, the former employee used a different last name on her application for the position than the one listed on the List of Excluded Individuals and Entities. The hospital does check the exclusion list for aliases. However, these must be disclosed by potential employees when they apply for a position. As a result, the process can prove ineffective if a candidate provides another last name, such as their maiden name. Finally, the hospital claimed it directly asks candidates whether the OIG excludes them from working in a healthcare facility that receives federal funding. The hospital discovered the truth when the employee applied for another position. The employee allegedly used the name listed with the OIG in this application. In the aftermath of the discovery, the hospital checked all of its current employees with the exclusion list and confirmed that no other employees belonged on the list. The OIG's records revealed that the former employee's registered nursing license was terminated in 2009. In 2007, the worker arrived at work while intoxicated. Furthermore, a blood test revealed she had many drugs in her system. After refusing to participate in a substance abuse disorder program, the licensing commission revoked her license. For healthcare employers, it is crucial to ensure that candidates and current employees are regularly checked against the OIG's exclusion list by a trusted screening provider. A high-quality screening provider can review federal and state-level exclusions and provide additional screenings to detect fraud and misinformation. Quality providers ensure that new hires are safe and trustworthy, a must in a healthcare setting. Discover the benefits of Pre-employ’s seamless background checks for your business. Contact a Sales representative today. Source

Tag: Department of Health and Human Services

Montana Hospital Reaches Settlement for Hiring OIG Excluded Worker Who Bypassed Background Check

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